All things being equal, Nigeria’s most valuable footballer at the moment could break the African transfer record he set himself two years ago
Italian transfer market expert Vincenzo D’Angelo believes Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen could still leave Napoli before the end of the transfer window.
Osimhen has been one of the summer’s biggest attractions following an impressive second year in the Italian Serie A.
After the league campaign wound to a halt, the 23-year-old still made the headlines by scoring four goals as Nigeria crushed Sao Tome and Principe in a record 10-0 Afcon-qualifying win.
Osimhen’s brilliance has not gone unnoticed, as many of the Premier League’s wealthiest clubs have been linked with a move for the Nigerian.
Napoli have reportedly rejected bids from Arsenal and Manchester United for their prized asset, while Chelsea, Newcastle, and Tottenham Hotspur continue to hold interest.
Osimhen has, however, expressed his desire to remain in Naples for at least one more year.
And Napoli have made it clear they are only willing to do business regarding the former Lille ace with any suitor ready to cough out €100 million.
Italian journalist Vincenzo D’Angelo is not fazed by Napoli’s position, insisting the Neapolitans are notorious for offloading their top striker and reinvesting the returns on the squad.
Napoli, at different times, have sanctioned the departure of star strikers Gonzalo Higuain, Edinson Cavani, and Ezequiel Lavezzi, among others.
D’Angelo sees no difference in Osimhen’s situation.
“We know Osimhen is very popular in the Premier League, but Napoli’s request is a three-figure figure,” D’Angelo told Radio Kiss Kiss, as per Tutto Napoli.
“The Napoli project is based on the Nigerian; we have also seen in the past that the club gave up its big game but then re-invested all the money. Finding a replacement wouldn’t be that simple. In my opinion, it will be a very long transfer market because with the World Cup in the middle, perhaps October will only be a calm month.”
Osimhen is presently the most expensive African transfer in history. The Nigeria forward has a contract with Napoli until the summer of 2025.