SPORT

Why Osimhen may remain at Napoli

Written by Jerry Alomatu on July 23, 2024

News Views: 280

Victor Osimhen’s prospect of staying at Napoli for another season is growing stronger due to recent complications with his potential transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Despite his €130 million release clause deterring English Premier League clubs, PSG renewed their interest last week. However, the transfer has faced setbacks, as negotiations have hit a snag.

Reports indicate that Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, traveled to Paris last week for discussions with PSG, who were considering a player-plus-cash swap deal. Yet, recent developments suggest that PSG’s priority is now filling the void left by Kylian Mbappe.

French media report that PSG will need to offload either Gonçalo Ramos or Randal Kolo-Muani before finalizing Osimhen’s transfer, but neither player appears willing to leave the club. Consequently, talks have stalled.

L’Équipe journalist Loic Tanzi has noted that PSG and Napoli’s negotiations have cooled recently due to the need for PSG to sell one of their forwards. Osimhen has reportedly started discussions about the possibility of staying at Napoli for another season, though he still needs to consult with Napoli’s new manager, Antonio Conte.

Conte has previously indicated that Osimhen might not fit into his plans for the upcoming season, although he acknowledged the striker’s positive attitude during pre-season training.

Napoli remains keen to sell Osimhen this summer to fund the acquisition of Romelu Lukaku and secure a replacement for the Nigerian forward.