Napoli are determined to find a permanent solution for Victor Osimhen’s transfer this summer to avoid the complications that disrupted his move last year. The club’s director, Giovanni Manna, has confirmed that Napoli are working to secure a deal that will see the Nigerian striker leave on a permanent basis.
Osimhen was expected to leave Napoli before the start of the current season, with Saudi Arabian clubs and Chelsea among the interested parties. However, none of the moves materialized, and he ended up joining Galatasaray on loan.
Since moving to Istanbul, the 26-year-old striker has been in top form, scoring 20 goals in 26 appearances across all competitions. Despite his impressive performances, Galatasaray are not expected to sign him permanently, leaving the door open for a move elsewhere.
Premier League Clubs Leading the Race
Chelsea and Arsenal have both been linked with Osimhen, who has a £90 million release clause in his contract, which runs until the summer of 2027. While Napoli may have to lower their asking price to finalize a deal, Manna remains hopeful that an agreement can be reached quickly to prevent another drawn-out transfer saga.
Manna told Sky Sport Italia, “Victor is always going to be a hotly-debated topic and not just in the transfer market. He is a highly sought-after player, and everyone knows about his release clause. We are working to find a solution as quickly as possible so that we can avoid what happened last year.”*
He acknowledged that Napoli had regrets about losing Osimhen in the middle of the season but emphasized that they had no choice but to make the best of the situation.
Manna admitted, “There are certainly regrets, as it is never easy to lose an important player mid-season. We talked about it a lot, but in my view, the situation was also twisted. What it leaves me with is the intention to always be ready to deal with things we cannot control, but we are certain that we did the right thing there.”
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Chelsea and PSG in the Hunt
Chelsea have had a long-standing interest in Osimhen and could make a fresh attempt to sign him as they look to strengthen their attack. Nicolas Jackson has been their first-choice striker over the last 18 months, but he has struggled for consistency, scoring only nine goals and providing five assists in 23 Premier League matches this season.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are also monitoring Osimhen’s situation. The French club reportedly discussed a potential move for him in January while negotiating a deal for his former teammate, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
PSG have been long-term admirers of Osimhen and view his release clause as a fair valuation. However, they are likely to negotiate a payment structure similar to what they arranged for Kvaratskhelia, allowing them to spread the transfer fee over time.
Manchester United Also in the Picture
Reports have also suggested that Osimhen’s move to Manchester United is nearly finalized. If true, this could shake up the transfer market, as both Chelsea and PSG would need to explore other options to bolster their forward lines.
With interest in Osimhen coming from multiple top European clubs, Napoli are keen to ensure they finalize his transfer smoothly and avoid another drawn-out negotiation process. Whether he moves to England, France, or elsewhere, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining his future.