The Neapolitans have their minds made up about the transfer rumours surrounding the Nigeria international
Napoli have decided to keep leading striker Victor Osimhen for at least one more year and will not listen to offers – no matter how tempting – from any club this summer.
The Serie A giants have lost quite a few key players already during this transfer window and will not sanction the sale of the Super Eagles forward at any price.
Why has Napoli taken this stand?
At the start of the transfer window, Napoli we’re open to letting Osimhen leave following interest from a few admirers from the English Premier League.
The Neapolitans, however, slammed a €120 million transfer fee on the 23-year-old. The Italians did not get the Nigerian cheap either, as they paid a club and African record 81 million euros to secure him from Lille two years ago.
But despite Arsenal and Manchester United enquiring about Osimhen, no club submitted a bid for the youngster.
And with the 2022-2023 Serie A season kicking off in a few days, Napoli are banking on Osimhen to lead the attack over the next 12 months.
Can things change between Napoli and Osimhen in August?
Despite the league campaign starting in a few days, the transfer window will only close at the end of the month.
And with Chelsea and Bayern Munich still credited with an interest in Osimhen, a surprise late move for the Nigeria international cannot be ruled out.
It may have, however, begun.
According to the authoritative Italian publication Il Mattino (via Tutto Napoli), Osimhen’s representatives have been trying to book an appointment and discuss transfer plans with Napoli’s sporting director Giuntoli.
But the club chief’s stand is clear; the Neapolitans will not discuss any proposal that will take Osimhen out of the Diego Maradona Stadium this year.
Napoli have shown increasing faith in their Nigerian import and handed him a new role in the first team.
With the departure of former club captain Lorenzo Insigne, Osimhen has been named Napoli’s new penalty taker. His first attempt for Napoli was a success as he scored from 11 yards in the 1-1 friendly draw versus Mallorca at the weekend.