3rd July 2024
As per Football Italia, Victor Osimhen is expected to start the pre-season with Napoli next week amid a dearth of offers for the Nigeria international, who had been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Although new Napoli coach Antonio Conte has admitted that the striker is not in his plans for next season, he could meet Osimhen in Castel Volturno next week ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Osimhen has a €130m clause included in his contract with the Partenopei, which is the initial stumbling block for his suitors, especially in the English Premier League.
As a result, the price tag was lowered to €100m, with Manchester United said to have prepared a cash-plus player swap, which will see Denmark striker Rasmus Højlund join Napoli.
Arsenal are also said to be preparing a second approach for the 25-year-old after the price slash.
Arsenal prefer Viktor Gyökeres to Osimhen, even if they also consider the Sporting striker’s €100m clause too high. However, Gyökeres has a lower salary than Osimhen, so the Gunners are focused on him currently.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have changed their transfer targets after the appointment of the Italian Enzo Maresca.
Osimhen, who dreams of playing in the Premier League, is also being monitored by PSG as a possible replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who is now a Real Madrid player.
Nevertheless, the Ligue 1 giants seem more interested in Osimhen’s teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and have already held talks with the Georgia international winger’s agent, irritating Napoli.
