Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has issued a stern warning to Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, advising him against making a move from Napoli to Chelsea this summer.
Osimhen, who has been linked with several top European clubs, is expected to leave the Serie A champions before the transfer window closes. Chelsea has emerged as one of the leading contenders to sign the Nigerian forward in a proposed player-swap deal.
However, in a video shared on ESPN’s X (formerly Twitter) account, Primate Ayodele predicted that Osimhen’s career would suffer if he joins the Premier League club.
“I want to quickly advise as directed, that Osimhen should not go to Chelsea because if he goes there, he will not shine and it will kill his career,” Ayodele cautioned.
The religious leader also advised the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to reconsider Osimhen’s involvement with the national team if he proceeds with the Chelsea move. “If Osimhen should go to Chelsea, don’t call him again. Calling him to the Super Eagles still needs to be reviewed properly because we have what it takes to win the World Cup and Nations Cup,” Ayodele added.
Reports suggest that former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, now at the helm of an unnamed Italian club, is pushing for a deal involving Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku, young midfielder Cesare Casadei, and a cash sum of £39 million in exchange for Osimhen.
Osimhen, 25, is eager to leave Napoli, while Lukaku, 31, is equally desperate to end his difficult stint at Chelsea after spending the last two seasons out on loan. Chelsea’s billionaire owner Todd Boehly has already invested heavily in the current transfer window, bringing his total spending to a staggering £1.114 billion since taking over two years ago.
Chelsea’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, has expressed strong interest in signing Osimhen following the collapse of a £34.5 million move for Samu Omorodion from Atletico Madrid. Osimhen, who netted 15 goals in Serie A last season, has long been on Chelsea’s radar and is reportedly keen to test himself in the Premier League.
