Victor Osimhen’s future has been a hot topic throughout the summer transfer window, yet with only a week remaining, the Nigerian striker remains at Napoli.
For some time, it’s been clear that the 25-year-old is eager to explore new opportunities. However, Napoli’s firm stance on demanding that any interested club meet Osimhen’s reported release clause of €120m to €130m (as cited by Sporting News) has hindered any significant progress in negotiations.
Clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea have been strongly linked with Osimhen, and Arsenal’s name has also surfaced in the rumors. Despite these links, no club has managed to close in on securing his signature.
According to Fabrizio Romano’s latest update, with just a week left in the transfer window, there has been little movement, and no club appears to be on the verge of signing Osimhen. As the clock ticks down, it remains to be seen whether any team will be able to meet Napoli’s demands and secure the prolific forward before the window closes.
“Guys, I can guarantee that as of today, there is still no substantial update on Victor Osimhen,” he said to CaughtOffside for his Daily Briefing.
“I know there are many Chelsea fans that keep asking, but as I keep telling you, Osimhen to Chelsea is only a topic for the final days of the window, not today, not yesterday, not tomorrow, for the final days alone.
“Osimhen doesn’t want to go on loan, as I told you, and doesn’t want to reduce his salary, so let’s see if they can find a way, or maybe if some other door could open for Osimhen.
“The only club to have an agreement on the contract this summer was Paris Saint-Germain in July, then talks between PSG and Napoli were very complicated, and so PSG left the negotiations.
“There is nothing regarding Arsenal’s reported interest from what I know, and it’s also not about which team are the favourites to sign him, it’s about who can agree with Napoli and with the player.
“Let’s see what’s going to happen in the final days, but at the moment, it’s still quiet.”
Both Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly still in the market for a striker to strengthen their squads, and unless the player or his representatives make a decision, all possibilities remain open.
With Romelu Lukaku close to finalizing his move from Chelsea to Napoli, the Italian club is under pressure to offload Osimhen as quickly as possible.
This situation may compel Napoli to consider lowering Osimhen’s release clause; otherwise, they risk having a disgruntled striker in their lineup during the first half of the 2024/25 season.
