Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has confirmed that star striker Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club amid interest from Chelsea Ben Knapton reports for SportsMole.
The Nigeria international rose to global prominence after scoring a league-high 26 goals during Napoli’s Serie A-winning campaign of 2022-23, before which he had been posting respectable numbers in the Partenopei shirt.
Osimhen’s 2023-24 season was a largely forgettable one, though, as even though he managed a respectable 17 efforts across all tournaments, his season was marred by club controversy.
As well as being seen arguing with former boss Rudi Garcia during his ill-fated stint in charge, Osimhen was also mocked by his club in a couple of posts on TikTok, sparking fury from his agent.
The 25-year-old nevertheless agreed a new contract with Napoli until the summer of 2026, although that extension was more about protecting his value rather than being indicative of a long-term association.
Osimhen has “asked to leave” Napoli amid Chelsea reports
Osimhen’s terms are said to include a release clause of around £113m, but as president Aurelio de Laurentiis is resigned to losing the striker this summer, he would be willing to do business at around the £85.6m mark.
Amid the speculation surrounding his next career move, Osimhen was not involved in Napoli’s Coppa Italia first-round win over Modena on Saturday evening, where Antonio Conte‘s men won on penalties following a 0-0 draw.
Speaking to the media before the game, Manna confirmed that the 25-year-old was absent from the squad due to his desire to leave, while also offering a cryptic update about what the next “few days” might bring.
“He asked to leave. We are calm because we have players in the squad who can replace him in the best way. However, we do not want to harm the integrity of the group and want to preserve it. We will see what will happen in the next few days,” football.londonquotes Manna as saying.
As a result, Osimhen will seemingly not be involved in any more Napoli squads while he remains set on leaving, meaning that he could depart the club with a record of 76 goals and 18 assists from 133 matches.
What is the latest on Chelsea’s Osimhen pursuit?
With Real Madrid signing Kylian Mbappe and Arsenal abandoning their search for a center-forward for the time being, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are considered the top contenders for Osimhen’s signature.
However, the French champions’ interest has supposedly also cooled, as Luis Enrique is happy with Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos as his central options, leaving Chelsea in prime position to bring the wantaway Nigerian to the Premier League.
The Blues are currently in no position to bow to Napoli’s £85.6m price demands, though, and a move also hinges on Napoli’s ability to agree a deal with Romelu Lukaku, who has a £37.8m buyout clause in his Chelsea deal.
As things stand, an agreement still seems a fair way away, meaning that Chelsea’s pursuit of Osimhen could come down to the final knockings of the summer window, which slams shut on August 30.
Emma Hayes was emotional after the victory ( Image: Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
Emma Hayes left her role as head coach of Chelsea Women to take over the United States women’s national team and restore the former world champions to their perch, Megan Feringa reports for Mirror.
The USWNT are champions again and according to Emma Hayes, it’s all down to love.
One year after the program’s humiliating round of 16 exits at the Women’s World Cup and fears that the days of dominance were beyond American exceptionalism, the USWNT was back in familiar territory on Saturday in the French capital. Victory secured. Trophy in hand. Jubilant cheers mixing with the American anthem poured in from all directions. This is the USWNT’s theatre; finally, they are center stage again.
The temptation is to draw a direct line from the hiring of the former Chelsea boss to the moment Mallory Swanson broke a fierce deadlock against Brazil at the Parc des Princes, clinching the USWNT’s record-extending fifth Olympic gold medal, and their first since 2012.
It’s difficult not to indulge in this straightforward arithmetic.
Hayes was hired with precisely this type of restoration remit in mind: restore the USWNT to the top, at whatever cost. And while the pressure to achieve this in her first attempt ratcheted up to a fever pitch as the cameras zoomed in and the anticipation swirled, few would have truly criticized the 46-year-old for failing here, so soon and so early into this relationship.
USWNT win gold in the final against Brazil ( Image: Photo by Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Instead, instant impact. A squad that once looked labored and stale now fizzes with youthful vim and vigor in a rejuvenated front line of Swanson, Trinity Rodman, and Sophia Smith – the front line known as Triple Espresso –, while the precocious defensive nous of 24-year-old Naomi Girma has become a point from which Hayes can mold her team.
But while credit was being thrust in Hayes’ direction for the swift turnaround in USWNT fortunes, Hayes instead credited something more intangible for the restoration project’s initial success.
“Just love,” a visibly emotional Hayes said through tears. “I come from a place of wanting players to enjoy themselves. I’ve been at a club for 12 years and had huge success but I was desperate to do it for this country. It’s not every day you win a gold medal.”
She added: “I love America. It made me. I always say that.”
Hayes’ coaching career is rooted within the United States’ borders, with a coaching stint at Iona College in New York for the English manager, and working with NWSL side Chicago Red Stars before taking over Chelsea.
Gold Medalists of Team United States pose for a photo on the podium with Emma Hayes’ son ( Image: Getty Images)
Speaking about taking on the USWNT head coach role before the Olympics, Hayes spoke passionately about fulfilling her dream of managing one of the world’s most dominant forces in women’s football.
And after clinching the gold medal in Paris, Hayes could hardly contain her emotions.
“I’m very emotional. It’s been a dream of mine to be in this position,” Hayes said. “I have to thank my dad because he’s the one who pushed me to this point to come and coach an unbelievable group of players that have received me so well and taken on board everything I have asked. They are tremendous people players and role models. Yeah, I love them.”
Saturday’s triumph wasn’t always easy. Twice goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher pulled out sensational saves to deny Brazil. Manager Arthur Elias will surely feel this was an opportunity wasted rather than one lost, his side having spurned too many good opportunities against one of football’s greatest-ever results-driven managers.
Roman Reigns made his triumphant return to SmackDown, tearing apart The Bloodline but was unsuccessful in taking back his Ula Fala. Plus, Cody Rhodes granted Kevin Owens an undisputed WWE Title Match at the WWE Bash in Berlin, Santos Escobar became the No. 1 Contender to LA Knight’s U.S. title and so much more!
The Street Profits def. A-Town Down Under to advance in the WWE Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender’s Tournament
In the first match of the WWE Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender’s Tournament, Angelo Dawkins launched Grayson Waller into the time keeper’s area, effectively taking him out of the match.
Montez Ford and Dawkins then isolated Austin Theory to hit a Super Blockbuster to win the match and advance in the tournament.
Jade Cargill def. Alba Fyre
Alba Fyre did her best against the awesome Jade Cargill, but Cargill hit Jaded to win the match.
After the bell, Blair Davenport hit the scene to attack Cargill and Bianca Belair with The Unholy Union. Their attempt at a beatdown backfired, however, as Naomi arrived to help Belair and Cargill brawl with their rivals and eject them from the ring.
Santos Escobar interrupted LA Knight’s U.S. Title Celebration
Santos Escobar def. Andrade in a U.S. Title No. 1 Contender’s Match
As Andrade battled Santos Escobar for the right to become the first challenger to LA Knight’s U.S. Title, Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews took care of Angel and Berto, who were looking to help Escobar defeat Andrade by nefarious means.
Escobar hit a splendid poison rana that left Andrade reeling, but Andrade struck back by hitting a moonsault where he changed his momentum mid-move as Escobar moved out of the way.
Just when Andrade looked set to defeat Escobar, Carmelo Hayes hit the scene to antagonize Andrade.
The distraction allowed Escobar to roll up Andrade with a fistful of tights and become the No. 1 Contender to the United States Title.
Carmelo Hayes costs Andrade a victory against Santos Escobar: SmackDown highlights, Aug. 9, 2024
Andrade’s chances of becoming No. 1 Contender to United States Champion LA Knight are thwarted by Carmelo Hayes, who costs him a chance to defeat Santos Escobar. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown
#DIY def. Pretty Deadly to progress in the WWE Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender’s Tournament
#DIY took their first steps to regaining the WWE Tag Team Title they lost last week to The Bloodline as they defeated Pretty Deadly in the WWE Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender’s Tournament.
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa connected with the Shatter Machine before hitting Meeting in the Middle to earn a match against The Street Profits in the WWE Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender’s Tournament Final.
Prospective teams play cagey as the Nigerian’s Napoli future remains uncertain
(Getty Images)
By Ed Emeanua
Mikel Arteta is cooling off his prospection of having Napoli forward Victor Osimhen spearheading his offensive arsenal for next season’s football forays.
Calcio Napoli24 claims that the Gunners have scratched out yet another name from their shopping list-Victor Osimhen.
According to Just Arsenal, Arteta’s Premier League outfit is heavily favoring commencing the coming season with the same offensive makeup that they currently have on their books.
Despite lengthy summer transfer news about bringing in a new striker to the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal is saturated with a plethora of players they feel can strengthen their offensive half.
Arteta has been spurning the wheels on these stars for quite some time, getting them well-oiled and ready for big-time football.
Getty Images
Just Arsenal reports that a lot of names have been bandied around in Holloway, North London, England, but Arteta’s side has cooled off on acquiring Benjamin Sesko and Ivan Toney.
Osimhen’s transfer saga has taken on a new dimension with the arrival of Antonio Conte at Napoli.
Several teams are interested in the Napoli forward who is truly a world-class striker. The dilemma for Osimhen and Napoli is that teams that see him as a prospect are now cagey having sensed that the Napoli man has a highly unrealistic future at Napoli.
Aurelio De Laurentiis in his determination not to lose the Nigerian for a reduced fee, placed a stupendous €120m release clause on the forward after the striker had spearheaded Napoli to the scudetto following over thirty years of waiting.
That season, Osimhen scored twenty-six goals in thirty-two Serie A appearances and provided four assists. There were plenty of suitors for the Napoli striker at the end of the 2022-2023 season and that was the right time for the Nigerian to move.
Surprisingly, the Napoli striker dug himself into a ditch by deciding to stay. Then, at the end of the 2023-2024 term, Osimhen scored fifteen goals in twenty-five Serie A outings with three assists, making prospectors wary of his consistency.
Credit: The Hardtackle
The scenery became even more complicated for the Nigeria international with the coming of a manager to Napoli who is aiming for a different striker.
Osimhen was done in the moment Conte left him out of his plans for the about-to-commence season thereby telegraphing to suitors that the Nigerian’s future in Napoli is uncertain.
Smart teams needing the striker will only sit this one out to the closing minutes of the current transfer season when desperation usually drives teams needing instant cash to sell on the cheap.
Whatever happens with Osimhen at the close of the summer transfer season, Napoli will not rake in the entire €120m in the player’s release clause.
Chelsea is the most likely destination for Osimhen simply because De Laurentiis has no other option but to grant Conte’s wish to bring in Romelu Lukaku to Stadio Armando Maradona and Chelsea will achieve their determination to offload the Belgium international finally.
The two teams will reach this milestone probably at the last few moments before the close of the summer transfer window. However, the deal isn’t going to be worth €120m. It won’t even be close.
NFF has Solanke, Ilenikhena, and Omorodion on their radar
The brasshats of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are still mightily vexed by the unendearing attitude of Victor Osimhen and eye a future without him in the Super Eagles.
The NFF is now mapping out a plan to convince the trio of Bournemouth’s Dominic Ayodele Solanke, Monaco’s George Osrzehmen Ilenikhena, and Atletico Madrid’s Samuel (Samu) Omorodion Aghehowa to pledge their allegiance to represent the Super Eagles.
According to a reliable source in the Federation, officials of the Nigerian FA blame the Napoli striker for the Super Eagles’ recent poor performance in the ongoing African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria occupies fifth place in Group C of the CAF qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group also contains South Africa, Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Lesotho.
Super Eagles are only superior to sixth-placed Zimbabwe in their group. Recently, the Nigeria national team has developed a dangerous habit of relying heavily on Osimhen’s participation to fly.
Unfortunately, the Napoli talismanic striker has not featured in any of the Super Eagles’ four outings in the ongoing CAF qualifying group games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In Nigeria’s November 16, 2023 matchday 1 Group C fixture at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Super Eagles played an uninspiring 1-1 draw against visiting Lesotho.
On Matchday 2 three days later in Butare, Rwanda, the Nigerians huffed and puffed to another lackluster 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe at the Stade Huye. In both encounters, Osimhen was not listed due to injury.
The Napoli man was then showcased by Nigeria two months later and inspired the same team to a final match finish at the recently concluded CAF African Nations Cup losing 2-1 to the host nation Cote d’Ivoire.
On the eve of Nigeria’s matchday 3 against South Africa, Osimhen featured in Napoli’s scoreless encounter in their last Serie A game in the 2023-2024 season against Lecce as a second-half substitute for Jens Cajuste on Sunday, May 26.
He was again unavailable for Nigeria on June 7, 2024, having been listed as injured when the uninspiring Super Eagles ended their matchday 3 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier game against South Africa on a 1-1 scoreline.
A few days later, Nigeria were beaten 2-1 by Benin in their last Group C World Cup qualifier game for 2024.
The defeat led to an internet tantrum storm by Osimhen following an unconfirmed tabloid report that Super Eagles’ erstwhile manager George Finidi blamed the defeat by Benin on the Napoli striker’s unpatriotic habit of representing the national team.
Osimhen’s outburst against Finidi was considered tasteless by NFF juggernauts especially after Finidi denied ever calling the Napoli superstar unpatriotic.
Our source said: “Unknown to Nigerians, Victor Osimhen is very difficult to manage. He is always the last player to report to national camps and wants everyone to see him as a special species from the rest.
468 minuten over alle competities heen. 7 doelpunten. Een goal om de 66 minuten. George Ilenikhena! ⚽🔥 pic.twitter.com/8HQVvpmztb
“His rants against Finidi are the last straw. We are determined to call his bluff. The Super Eagles must not rely on just one player. The senior national football team of Nigeria is too big for any player.
“It is our resolve to make the national team very competitive in every department. We are determined to scout for more and better talents from all over the world for the national teams”.
The NFF official who spoke to us under the cloud of anonymity said that to this effect, the Federation’s scouts have been tasked to approach emerging and confirmed talents worldwide to wear the national colors.
“Let me say this clearly, Osimhen’s outburst against Finidi is tasteless. He cannot do so to even our last White coach (José Peseiro) or any of the officials of Napoli,” our source added.
“Our first consideration after his behavior was to axe Osimhen from the Super Eagles but the Sports Minister was against this option.
“Our plan B is to convey to the team that no player or official is indispensable. We have tasked our scouts to approach emerging talents like George Ilenikhena, and Samuel Omorodion to represent Nigeria.
“We want to talk to a player like Dominic Solanke too.”
For their daring “Private” talks with Dominic Solanke
According to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein and Jacob Tanswell, Dominic Solanke will undergo his medical at Tottenham Hotspur after a £65million agreement was reached with Bournemouth for the striker.
However, Liam Corless of GIVEMESPORT reports that the striker’s club is said to be highly provoked by Tottenham’s daring timing of swooping for talisman Dominic Solanke.
Solanke is set to relocate to The Stadium following his signing a six-year contract with his potential new club.
Spurs are close to signing Solanke, who accounted for 19 goals in 38 Premier League showings in the just-concluded season.
The Bournemouth striker is said to be determined to leave the Dean Court currently known as the Vitality Stadium for sponsorship purposes and was Spurs’ manager Ange Postecoglou’s prime transfer target for the summer.
Solanke could only leave Bournemouth if a prospector matches a £65million release clause in his current contract at the club, which lapses in 2027, and Postecoglou wants to give some teeth to his attack line a year after Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich snatched Harry Kane from Spurs’ claws.
Postecoglou needs a top striker who can fit into his style of play and is convinced that Solanke’s profile fits the bill.
“What’s important is the type of striker we get,” Postecoglou said during Tottenham’s pre-season tour of Japan.
“You know we play a certain way. We demand certain things from a physical perspective from the technical aspects of it that it’s going be a striker that fits that mold.
“It’s still the area of the park we’re really probably the thinnest when I talk about squad-wise at the moment, so obviously that’s a focus for us.”
ByLiam WoodFootball writer Jake StokesSport Central Audience Writer Jack Flintham
Chelsea have returned to the UK after concluding their pre-season tour of the United States. Preparations across the pond on the pitch have been less than ideal in terms of results, with Enzo Maresca’s side winning just one match out of fiveFootball London reports.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are eyeing up a move for Trevoh Chalobah amid fears that they will lose Marc Guehi. The Chelsea defender was left out of the travelling squad and it now seems inevitable that he will be sold this summer.
Samu Omorodion
Omorodion medical
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea is planning to book a medical for Samu Omorodion today in Paris. The 20-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer as Enzo Maresca looks to strengthen his frontline.
Last season, while on loan at Deportivo Alavés from Atletico Madrid, Omorodion featured 34 times in La Liga, scoring eight goals and providing one assist. Playing a key role in Luis García Plaza’s side, the Spain Under-21 international helped the newly promoted club avoid relegation and finish tenth.
Emirates Stadium is likely destination for Napoli star
Eddie Nketiah and Victor Osimhen with Arsenal’s badge
By Ed Emeanua
Victor Osimhen’s drawn-out move to Parc des Princes appears to have hit another brick wall. The Napoli forward may not be joining Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after all.
PSG Talk points out that according to RMC Sport’s reporter Fabrice Hawkins, Luis Enrique does not like Osimhen’s profile. The PSG manager does not believe that the want-out Napoli forward is the man he wants at the frontline of his attack.
Despite agreeing to team up with PSG who are ready to pay him a heftier salary than Arsenal, Enrique does not feel that Osimhen fits in his style of play.
However, RadioRadio reports that Arsenal appears to be at the forefront of signing the Napoli superstar. But the Premier League outfit is proposing a deal that would significantly lower Osimhen’s take-home pay and increase Napoli’s gains from the sale of their star forward.
Chelsea on the other hand is currently proposing a swap deal for Romelu Lukaku that would see Osimhen move to Stamford Bridge and the out-of-favor Chelsea striker head to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Conor
Football London reports that Chelsea is keen on bringing in a new striker before the end of the transfer season and the talks to sign Osimhen of Napoli and Atletico star Samu Omorodion are ongoing.
Following Chelsea’s agreement with Atletico Madrid for Conor Gallagher to move to the Metropolitano Stadium with La Liga Club, having agreed to a £36million (€42m) deal to sign him from Chelsea, with Gallagher okaying the move after rejecting a contract extension to remain in west London.
Armando Broja and Lukaku are also on Chelsea’s cut list and are next to depart with Ian Maatsen, Omari Hutchinson, and Lewis Hall having all exited Stamford Bridge permanently for huge fees. So too have Thiago Silva, Hakim Ziyech, and Malag Sarr moved from Stamford Bridge to greener pastures.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Djordje Petrovic, Trevoh Chalobah, Cesare Casadei, and David Datro Fofana are all being discussed in recent transfer news.
According to Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy, Manchester United center-back Harry Maguire won’t leave the club this summer, Man Utd News reports.
The England international was heavily linked with an exit last summer, but he turned down interest from West Ham United to stay with the Red Devils.
The 31-year-old was on the bench at the start of the season, but he soon became a key figure with the continuous injury setbacks for Lisandro Martinez.
Maguire’s campaign ended on a sour note after failing to recover from a calf injury, but it seems he has done enough to continue with the club next term.
Maguire set to continue with United next season
The former Leicester City star faced a mixed reception from the fans last summer, but he managed to win over the majority of them with his performances.
United manager Erik ten Hag was also pleased with his form and brilliant attitude and we are not surprised that he will be staying for another season.
Maguire’s contract expires in June 2025, but the club has the option to extend for another year.
There is a possibility that the Red Devils could trigger the clause. In that way, they could recoup a reasonable fee from his sale in the summer of 2025.
Maguire, who was described as ‘brilliant‘ by Alan Shearer back in February, will be eyeing more pre-season minutes under his belt against Real Betis this week.
He could have a new central defensive partner in the starting XI. Leny Yoro picked up an injury against Arsenal last weekend. The club are yet to provide an update.
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