As Arsenal and Chelsea reenter the race to sign Napoli striker
By Ed Emeanua
Victor Osimhen’s intention to move from the Diego Armando Maradona stadium this summer continues to be dogged by twists and turns as the Napoli superstar’s want-away saga drags on.
With a whopping £113m release clause to activate the striker’s move from Napoli standing in the way of prospectors, the embers of interest continue to flare and frost in rapid session.
Once heavily courted by Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United the enthusiasm from these Premier League big spenders has all but evaporated.
PSG who went into overdrive to purchase the Nigeria international has equally suspended their interest just as Arsenal, is reported to have again galloped into the frontline for Osimhen’s signature.
Napoli remained steadfast in their commitment toward adequate pre-season preparations with a well-deserved four-goal win against Egnatia of Albanian, but the Nigerian forward was not listed for the game by the Partenopei.
Osimhen’s omission from Napoli’s team on Sunday afternoon could be a clear sign of an imminent move to pasture anew.
The Standard claims that an agreement is set in stone for the Super Eagles striker to depart Naples this summer if the right fee is paid by a serious buyer.
Antonio Conte is now in charge at Napoli after signing a three-year managerial contract at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at the beginning of the summer.
Aware that Osimhen is already one foot out of Napoli, the conventional wisdom is that Conte would prefer a reunion with Chelsea reject Romelu Lukaku.
The former Italy boss is now hoping to match Luciano Spalletti’s 2022-23 Serie A championship success with the Partenopei.
However, despite the twists and turns in Osimhen’s likely transfer this summer, Napoli director Giovanni Manna has dropped a hint that the Nigerian will leave Naples this transfer term.
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Manna said: “We aimed to provide the coach with a competitive team from the first days of training camp to immediately tackle the championship.
“There will be movements, as there is still a month of the market left, and we might make some additions. This is a process, a project starting this year with the coach at its center.
“We share a strategy with the club, and we are calm and clear-headed. We will not make any reckless moves but will make decisions that support our technical and tactical ideas.”
According to Yahoo Sport, Napoli is keen to add Romelu Lukaku in a deal with Chelsea over Osimhen, with the Partenopei determined to conclude their move for the Belgium forward.
Lukaku is expected to report for training at Chelsea’s Cobham headquarters this week after two seasons out on loan at Inter and Roma.
The 31-year-old Belgian will train with other Chelsea teammates who were not on the tour to the United States, in addition to defender Trevoh Chalobah, who has been placed on transfer.
