Fabrizio Romano issues 'final green light' Chelsea transfer update amid agent's warning

Chelsea are said to have two options on the table as they look to land a striker ahead of Friday night’s transfer deadline. The Blues have been busy again in this summer transfer window, adding a number of new pieces to Enzo Maresca’s still bloated squad.

But an experienced and proven goalscorer is still desired by the Italian as Chelsea look to take strides towards Champions League qualification. Strikers do not come cheap, and while the Blues have been helped by a number of big-money departures this summer, including Ian Maatsen and Romelu Lukaku, they must still tread carefully around Profit and Sustainability rules given their big spending over recent years.

It’s for that reason a loan deal appears to be what they are offering for Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen, albeit with a mandatory option to buy. Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli are said to be the favourites to wrap up a deal, offering an upfront fee, but it’s reported the Blues are still engaging in talks with the player’s representatives in case he rejects a move to the Middle-East, which is very much possible based on recent reports from his agent.

Meanwhile, the Blues are said to be keeping their hat in the ring for Brentford frontman Ivan Toney, with the Bees reportedly pushing to sell ahead of the 11pm deadline. Transfer ‘insider’ Fabrizio Romano has tweeted: “Understand Al Ahli will ONLY sign ONE between Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney. This is the current plan. Chelsea are still working in the background for Victor Osimhen in case he doesn’t give final green light to Al Ahli.”

Brentford were said to be asking for more than £50million to sell Toney, but there are suggestions that the asking price has dropped to £35million with the deadline closing in.

Osimhen could reject Saudi Arabia

There is still every chance Osimhen rejects a move to Saudi Arabia despite a reported offer of £25million per week for four years. The striker’s agent recently wrote on X: “Osimhen is a Napoli player, with a contract recently renewed with mutual satisfaction.

“He made history and when there were major offers (also this year) we always accepted the club's decisions. As I said, it is not a package to be shipped far away to make room for new prophets. Victor was elected African footballer of the year, eighth at the Ballon d'Or, he still has so much to do in Europe. There is need respect and balance."