Super Eagles’ forward Victor Osimhen has found himself at a crossroads in his career as he prepares to return to pre-season training with Napoli, with no concrete offers on the table despite speculation surrounding his potential move away from the Italian club.
According to a report by The Nation News, the highly-rated striker, who boasts a €130m release clause in his contract with Napoli, has been linked with various top European clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United.
However, as the transfer window progresses, no formal bids have materialized, leaving Osimhen no choice but to refocus on the upcoming season with Napoli.
Reports from Football Italia suggest that Napoli's new coach, Antonio Conte, is set to meet with Osimhen at the club's training base in Castel Volturno, signaling a potential continuation of their working relationship.
Despite Conte's readiness to part ways with Osimhen if a suitable offer emerges, the lack of concrete interest has compelled the Nigerian striker to return to Napoli's pre-season preparations.
Speculation surrounding Osimhen's future has been fueled by a recent unveiling of Conte as Napoli's new manager, where he described the Nigerian forward as a "top player."
“I know very well about the Osimhen situation,” Conte reportedly said.
“I know that there are a“Then if you ask me about the player, he’s a top player, but I can’t get into any discussions about Osimhen because these are previous agreements,” he added. with the club, it’s a totally different situation, which I’ll witness.
“Then if you ask me about the player, he’s a top player, but I can’t get into any discussions about Osimhen because these are previous agreements,” he added.
However, with no offers that meet Napoli's valuation of Osimhen, the situation remains uncertain.
The reluctance of clubs to meet Osimhen's €130m release clause has presented a significant hurdle in his potential transfer.
Even with Napoli reportedly open to reducing the price to €100m, finding suitors willing to pay remains a challenge.
Furthermore, a recent report fr,om Italian tabloid Il Corriere dello Sport sheds light on why Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United have paused discussions regarding Osimhen's transfer.
Arsenal is said to prefer Viktor Gyökeres over Osimhen, citing concerns over the latter's high release clause. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Manchester United have shifted their focus to other targets following changes in their managerial and transfer strategies.
Despite Osimhen's desire to play in the Premier League, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has also expressed interest in the Nigerian striker, adding another layer of complexity to his potential move away from Napoli.