Transfer: Was renewing Osimhen’s contract the right move for Napoli?

Super Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor James Osimhen, signed a new deal with the Italian club before the end of last year, Soccernet.ng reports.

Despite battling several injuries, the 25-year-old was able to account for 17 goals and four assists in 32 games across all competitions for Napoli, but the feat was a decline, compared to the 2022/2023 season.

Osimhen scored 31 goals and provided five assists in all competitions under Luciano Spalleti two seasons ago, winning the Italian Golden Shoe and the Scudetto for Napoli. He was also placed 8th in the Ballon d’Or rankings while carting away the CAF Player of the Year Award.

Despite interest from several European clubs and Saudi clubs flashing huge cash at the former Lille man, he opted to stay with Napoli, and to the surprise of many, penned a new contract that will see him stay at the club till the summer of 2026.

Contract Details

Napoli’s offer to the Nigerian striker was mutually beneficial for both parties. While it was without a doubt that Osimhen would be looking to play away from Naples, the deal was fair to the player and the club.

Osimhen’s contract was extended by a year, until the summer of 2026, just after the FIFA World Cup where Nigeria might not be participating, and Napoli slammed a release clause in the deal, in the range of 120 and 130 million euros. The striker, on the other hand, saw his annual earnings almost double, rising to 10 million euros a year, as per Calcio Mercato.

During the season, the club’s president, Aurelien De Laurentiis, made it clear that the former Wolfsburg man will be moving to a bigger club in the summer, as long as the release clause is activated.

“We knew it since last summer, the negotiations for his [Osimhen] renewal have been long and friendly for that reason, we knew perfectly that he will go to Real Madrid, PSG or some Premier League team,” the Italian said in quotes revealed by Goal.

Was renewing Osimhen’s contract the right move for Napoli?

Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with Osimhen, but a very clear factor in their interest is the unwillingness to meet the release clause in his contract.

While Osimhen wants a new footballing experience away from Napoli, his contract renewal might have set him back, especially because of the release clause.

As regards a potential transfer, Chelsea have pulled back(as they have to make sales before attempting any income expenditures). Attempts for an exchange with Lukaku, Conte’s favourite striker, ran aground for the same reasons, but there has been no progress so far.

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s appreciation has long been known, but that is all there is to it. Simply appreciation. For PSG their attempt has sifted to Osimhen’s attacking partner, Kvhicha Kvaratskhelia, but neither De Laurentiis nor Conte are interested in letting the Georgian leave.

While there are background offers from Saudi Arabia, Osimhen’s preference is to stay in Europe and play in the UEFA Champions League.

Consequences

Napoli recognized Osimhen as their biggest asset, alongside his desire to play in the English Premier League, and like every club that aims to make a profit, took the decision that suited them, but are in danger of being the biggest losers, should Osimhen remain at the club beyond this summer’s transfer window.

Osimhen staying would mean Antonio Conte won’t get his perfect striker in Romelu Lukaku. Additionally, Napoli would be left with an unenthusiastic footballer who doesn’t want to be at the club, with a huge wage bill that could affect them in the long run. They’ll also have no huge transfer income.

The three-time Serie A Champions have been linked with Romelu Lukaku, Artem Dovbyk of Girona, Santiago Gimenez of Feyenoord, and LOSC Lille’s Jonathan David, who will most likely cost very little compared to what they’ll get from Osimhen’s sale.

In the meantime, until there’s a resolve about Osimhen’s release clause, no club is willing to commit that amount of money for the Super Eagles striker.