New Napoli boss Antonio Conte has admitted that previous agreements between the club and Victor Osimhen remain in place over the striker’s future.
Earlier this year, Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentiis said he “knew” that Osimhen would leave the club in the summer transfer window. The Nigeria international has been the subject of interest for over 12 months, despite signing a contract extension in December.
Paris Saint-Germain have long been admirers of Osimhen, but a move to the Premier League has constantly been tipped. Arsenal and Chelsea have both been credited in the past, with both London clubs desperate for a new striker.
However, the Gunners aren’t likely to spend big this summer, especially on one player, while Chelsea have already pondered moves for alternatives such as Jhon Duran, Jonathan David and Ademola Lookman.
Napoli are understood to have agreed to allow Osimhen leave the club this summer, but they remain hopeful of holding out for the (€130m) £110m release clause. However, that figure has proved to be too high for clubs, with no move close to happening yet.
In his first press conference as manager of Napoli, Conte addressed the futures of a number of players and gave reassurances that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Stanislav Lobotka would not be sold. There was no positive update about Osimhen, though.
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“Having said that, I know what the situation is regarding Osimhen,” he said. “I know that there are agreements, that it is a situation different from all the others. I can only assist.
“He is a player of the highest level, exceptional, but I cannot enter into any discussion because it is part of previous agreements which have been clearly stated to me.”
It doesn’t appear that Conte’s arrival will convince Osimhen to stay in Naples. Right now, there has been no official move just yet by any of the interest clubs.