Fabio Cannavaro warns Napoli over Victor Osimhen’s summer move

Former Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro has warned Napoli not to allow Victor Osimhen to move abroad at this point despite tempting offers.

The Nigeria international played a pivotal role in Napoli’s triumph, scoring 26 league goals that led the team to their first Scudetto title in 33 years.

With two years remaining in Osimhen’s current contract, several European powerhouses, including Manchester United, PSG, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, are interested in his signature.

Napoli already lost their title-winning coach, Luciano Spelletti, and also face the imminent transfer of influential defender Kim Min-Jae to Bayern Munich have dealt a heavy blow to their ambitions.

Meanwhile, the club’s owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has put a hefty price tag of €150 million on the 24-year-old to wade off potential buyers.

However, Cannavaro understands that Napoli may struggle to hold onto Osimhen if any of these wealthy clubs genuinely pursue him, with the former FIFA World Player of the Year warning Napoli to brace themselves for intense financial competition.

“The team has undergone significant changes, especially in terms of leadership, due to Spalletti’s departure. His influence extended beyond the players,” Cannavaro told official Serie A channels via Tutto Napoli.

“Kim’s absence will also have an impact on the squad. De Laurentiis talks about continuity, so it is important to address the team’s issues and, above all, ensure that we do not lose Osimhen.”

Cannavaro further said that clubs with financial strength will seize the opportunity to sign from Italy.

“Certainly, clubs like Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester United, who are in dire need of a center forward, will seize the opportunity if they decide to sign a player from Italy,” Cannavaro told La Gazzetta dello Sport via Foot Italia.

“These clubs have immense financial strength, and it would be futile to deceive ourselves.

“De Laurentiis has proven to be astute in business and organizationally sound. He has succeeded in conveying to the fans that competitiveness can be maintained even while undergoing changes.”