Romano makes an Osimhen prediction amid the “final proposal” and reveals important details of the “crazy saga”

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has explained how the “crazy end of the summer saga” surrounding Chelsea and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen played out.

Chelsea were the highest spenders in Europe in the summer transfer window However, they failed to sign a world-class striker.

The Blues identified Osimhen as their main target and at one point it looked like they would sign him on deadline day, but that deal fell through.

Osimhen has not been priced out of the Premier League so far and his contract still contains a £110million release clause, but Napoli were willing to let him go in the summer as the Nigeria international pushed for a move and they have signed Romelu Lukaku to replace him.

The prolific striker was targeted by Chelsea and Al-Ahli, but the Premier League giants were given free rein to sign him as the Saudi Pro League side opted to sign Ivan Toney instead on deadline day.

Romano has provided a detailed account of how this “crazy saga” unfolded, saying Chelsea's “deal fell through” after making a “final offer” an hour before the 11pm deadline.

“Victor Osimhen stays at Napoli after a completely crazy final 24-48 hours of the summer transfer window,” Romano said in his Daily Briefing column.

READ: Chelsea inevitably top the table, Liverpool and Newcastle also among the losers of the transfer window

“On Friday morning, Saudi club Al Ahli was 80% confident that they would sign Osimhen. There was an agreement between Al Ahli and Napoli and negotiations with the player.

“Then Napoli started changing some details of the deal and Al Ahli decided to call Ivan Toney instead and tell him he could come for a medical. At that point, the Osimhen deal was completely on hold, meaning it was pretty much Chelsea or nothing for Osimhen.

“A delegation from Chelsea was in Italy trying to reach an agreement with Osimhen. They worked for a long time to reach an agreement with the player.

“There were several increases and bonuses to increase their offer in compliance with Financial Fair Play, but their offer still did not come close to Osimhen's net salary at Napoli of €11-12 million.

“I think in the end Chelsea made five or six proposals and a final one at 10pm, but again it wasn't even close and the deal fell through.

“That was the case with Osimhen. Chelsea tried until the end and were confident at one point of completing the deal because Napoli had no other option to sell. But in the end, Osimhen rejected their contract offer.”

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Romano also expressed his “expectations” regarding Osimhen’s future, saying that his “future will be reassessed in January”.

“The last crucial point is that Osimhen is no longer part of the Napoli project for this season,” added Romano.

“Their situation is completely tense, with Osimhen now expected to stay at Napoli unless something crazy happens at another Saudi club in the next few days. However, he would be completely out of Antonio Conte's first-team squad.

“Osimhen told Napoli that he no longer wanted to play for them and now he is staying at the club despite this crazy and tense situation.

“It is currently assumed that Osimhen will not be in Napoli’s squad until the January transfer window.

“Then I can't predict the future… whether they find a way to resolve this situation, we'll see. But at the moment the relationship is completely broken and in January his future will be reassessed.”