Chelsea remain interested in signing striker Victor Osimhen when the January transfer window opens but will face competition from his loan club Galatasaray, according to reports.
The Nigerian is on loan with the Turkish side with the deal running until the end of the season. There is however said to be a break clause in the deal that could see Osimhen move on in the winter window.
Chelsea have been linked with the Nigeria international for some time, and attempted to make a late move in the final days of the summer transfer window. However, a deal couldn’t be agreed before the deadline. 
With most other windows shut and Osimhen not having a future at Napoli, he completed a loan move to Galatasaray in early September. The 25-year-old has scored twice and provided four assists in four matches in all competitions so far this campaign.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Chelsea remain ‘very interested’ in Osimhen and are ‘considering’ making another move in January. The striker reportedly has an €81 million (£67.77m) release clause in his contract.
However, the Blues face competition from loan side Galatasaray, who are ‘seriously thinking’ of making their loan move permanent in the winter window. The Turkish club do have an advantage with them only having to pay a fee of €75 million (£62.75m) if they make a move in January.
That’s the fee that Osimhen is said to be available for in the summer – but his release clause is only active to other clubs when the summer window opens. For Galatasaray, the €6 million (£5m) in compensation they would get from Napoli for the loan ending early in January would effectively add the discount six months earlier than anyone else.
Speaking last month, Galatasaray vice-president Ibrahim Hatipoglu set out the club’s clear stance on Osimhen potentially leaving in January. “Osimhen leaving in January is out of the question. In fact, we are planning to have Osimhen play next season,” he said, via Gazeteoksijen.
“Osimhen is a Galatasaray player until June. Discussing this is an attempt to change the agenda and spoil the fun of watching Osimhen.
“The player shows how committed he is to Galatasaray in every match. A person plays where he is happy. He has a contract with us until the end of the season. He is very happy to have come to Galatasaray.
“We should think about how he will be together with Osimhen in the following seasons. There is no need to discuss whether he will leave during the mid-season break.”
