Napoli’s audacious plan: Victor Osimhen offered record-breaking salary to snub Chelsea, others

Napoli's president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has unveiled an ambitious plan to retain the services of Victor Osimhen, Soccernet.ng reports.

With an impressive tally of 30 goals across all competitions for Napoli, Osimhen has become a prime target for several Premier League powerhouses, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Newcastle, as well as European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

However, determined to keep Osimhen in Naples, De Laurentiis has crafted an enticing proposition to convince the 24-year-old to remain at the club for two more seasons, as per Tutto Napoli.

Drawing inspiration from Borussia Dortmund's successful renewal strategy for Erling Haaland in 2020, Napoli is prepared to offer Osimhen a staggering €7 million salary, a remarkable increase from his current earnings of €4.5 million.

This would position Osimhen as the highest-paid player in Napoli's history, underlining his importance to the team.

To balance the financial commitment of this lucrative deal, Napoli plan to make strategic cuts to the wages of other players. By doing so, the club aims to preserve the overall salary cap while ensuring Osimhen receives the recognition and compensation he deserves.

Furthermore, De Laurentiis and his team have proposed a “reduced” release clause, set at half of Osimhen's current market value.

This clause, however, would not take effect immediately but rather in the following season, affording Osimhen an additional two years in the iconic Napoli blue before he would have the freedom to explore other opportunities.

Based on Osimhen's present estimated value of €150 million, the release clause would amount to approximately €75 million, scheduled to become valid for the 2024/25 season.

De Laurentiis believes this comprehensive offer, encompassing a substantial salary increase and a strategically structured release clause, will entice Osimhen to commit his future to Napoli.

The president is banking on the absence of concrete and tempting offers from rival clubs, especially in the Premier League, where engagement proposals are expected to hover around €10 million.

However, it is one of Osimhen's stated dreams to one day play in the English Premier League.