Nigeria Players Abroad
Napoli clarifies talks around Victor Osimhen’s contract renewal
By Monsurah Olatunji
Napoli have released a statement clarifying president Aurelio De Laurentiis’ comments regarding Victor Osimhen’s future at the club after injury sustained in Nigeria’s 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia
Speaking in a press conference, De Laurentiis suggested that talks with Osimhen over a new contract had come to a standstill and that the player’s “mood has changed” over his future at the club.
The 24-year-old has been attracting interest from some of Europe’s top clubs after scoring 26 league goals in 32 Serie A games, as Napoli landed their first Scudetto in 33 years.
However, the relationship between Napoli and Osimhen appeared to sour this season as the club’s TikTok account shared videos poking fun at the attacker
The striker went on to delete pictures of himself in Napoli shirts from his Instagram after his agent threatened to take legal action against the club which led to the team’s social media executive resignation.
The Nigerian has been linked with a move away from Napoli as talks on a new deal with the Partenopei have stalled since the summer.
With Osimhen facing up to six weeks out while injured, the club would like to get his answer as soon as possible as his current contract runs until 2025.
“SSC Napoli would like to clarify recent comments made by President Aurelio De Laurentiis regarding Victor Osimhen, given that his words have been distorted by certain media publications,” a statement read.
“President De Laurentiis did not say anything negative about Victor. He simply stated that after a series of lengthy contract negotiations which ended with the parties shaking hands and agreeing to continue together, Victor had second thoughts.
“President De Laurentiis hopes this is merely a pause for reflection. Over the coming weeks, when Victor will not be able to play as he recovers from injury, the president, Osimhen, and his agent Roberto Calenda will sit down calmly to discuss the future.
“Describing relations between Osimhen and Napoli as frosty is entirely out of place.”
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