Napoli has reportedly decided on an asking price for Victor Osimhen amid growing links with Chelsea.
Since joining Naples in 2020, the striker has carved a remarkable path, amassing 65 goals and 16 assists from 112 appearances across all competitions. A significant portion of Osimhen’s goals came during Napoli’s triumphant Serie A campaign in 2022-23, ending a drought spanning over three decades to clinch the title.
However, with a change in management and the team currently trailing leaders Inter Milan by eight points in the standings, there’s a different atmosphere at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this season.
Amid ongoing speculation about his future and a recent controversy involving offensive social media posts from the club, Osimhen, while still influential, faces uncertainty. With just over 19 months left on his contract, a decision on his next move appears imminent, yet a stalemate seems to prevail.
Despite Osimhen’s reported lack of interest in extending his contract, Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, is adamant about securing a profitable sale, seeking a return on the €80m investment made over three years ago.
Clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal, known admirers of the 24-year-old forward, have long been aware that acquiring Osimhen in January or next summer would require a fee surpassing the initial amount paid. However, according to reports from Il Mattino, De Laurentiis is standing firm on a €150m (£130.06m) valuation for the Nigerian star.
Reports suggest Chelsea might move in January, but their co-owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, face Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions and might need to offload players to afford such a fee.
As for Arsenal, the hefty price tag automatically sidelines them from the race, indicating they are prioritizing other positions in early 2024.
While De Laurentiis is purportedly set on demanding one of the highest transfer fees in history, Napoli’s negotiating position could significantly weaken if Osimhen does not commit to a contract extension by next summer.
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