Napoli open to highest bidder for Victor Osimhen as summer transfer approaches

By Monsurah Olatunji

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has reportedly issued a strong transfer warning to clubs interested in acquiring Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, stating that the Super Eagles star will only be sold to the highest bidder.

Osimhen, who nearly made a high-profile move to Chelsea last summer, ultimately stayed at Napoli before joining Turkish giants Galatasaray on a season-long loan.

Since making the switch, the Nigerian forward has enjoyed a prolific spell, scoring 26 goals in 30 appearances, further solidifying his status as one of Europe’s top strikers.

His impressive form has attracted attention from several elite clubs, with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United all reportedly eyeing the forward ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, according to reports from CaughtOffside, Napoli’s president De Laurentiis has made it clear that Osimhen will not be sold for anything less than his €75 million release clause, urging interested parties to meet the asking price or face losing out on the striker.

With Premier League clubs especially interested in the Nigerian’s services, Sky Sports suggests that Manchester United might be in a strong position to secure his signature.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), once considered contenders, has reportedly pulled out of the race.

Osimhen’s potential move to the Premier League has been long speculated, and his Nigeria teammate, William Troost-Ekong, has confirmed that talks with top clubs are already underway.

“I know he’s a Chelsea fan, but I also know he’s had talks with all the top teams. It’s up to him what he chooses. He will fit into every team,” Troost-Ekong told TalkSport.

The Watford defender also mentioned Liverpool’s interest in bolstering their attacking options, hinting that a move to England is likely for Osimhen next season.

“I couldn’t see him playing there for another season, or anywhere else but the Premier League next season,” he added.

With the summer transfer window approaching, all eyes will be on Osimhen, as his future continues to spark widespread speculation.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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