Victor Osimhen’s Napoli exile continues amid transfer interest

By Asuquo

Posted on August 10, 2024

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will miss Napoli’s Coppa Italia first-round match against Modena today amid ongoing uncertainty about his future with the club.

The 25-year-old, who has been at the center of intense transfer speculation this summer, has been training individually at Napoli’s sports center and has not participated in any pre-season friendlies.

Osimhen, the highest-paid player in Serie A with a salary of £325,000 per week, signed a new contract with Napoli in December that includes a €130m release clause. However, no club has yet met this clause.

Paris Saint-Germain, who are seen as the most serious contenders, have offered no more than €100m for the Nigerian international. Chelsea had considered including him in a deal involving Romelu Lukaku, but Osimhen has rejected a loan move.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported, “Forget about Victor Osimhen taking a pay cut; he won’t reduce his salary. This will be a deal I think will go down to the final week of the window.”

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Osimhen’s refusal to accept a loan move has complicated Chelsea’s efforts, as the club is reluctant to meet his release clause.

With limited options, Osimhen is reportedly waiting for a new offer from PSG or a serious proposal from Saudi Arabia.

The striker joined Napoli from Lille in 2020 for a record fee of €70m plus €10m in bonuses. He was instrumental in Napoli winning their first Scudetto in over 30 years last season, scoring 26 league goals to become the top scorer.

As the transfer window nears its end, Osimhen remains sidelined from Napoli’s pre-season plans, and his future with the club remains uncertain.