Victor Osimhen: From Premier League Target to Free Agent

At Antonio Conte's inaugural press conference as Napoli's head coach, one of the first questions directed at him was about the future of star striker Victor Osimhen. Sitting alongside club President Aurelio De Laurentiis, Conte acknowledged the complexities surrounding Osimhen’s situation, stating,

Osimhen, the prolific Nigeria international, had requested a transfer, and Napoli, willing to cooperate, had previously agreed to a contract extension until June 2026. This new deal included a €130 million ($143.79 million) release clause, designed to protect the club’s interests while potentially facilitating Osimhen’s move.

After a standout 2022/23 season where Osimhen emerged as Serie A’s top scorer with 26 goals, leading Napoli to a historic league title, his market value soared. Clubs across Europe, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and PSG, were linked with the striker. Napoli President De Laurentiis even mentioned these clubs when discussing Osimhen’s future in January.

As the summer transfer window approached, Arsenal and Chelsea were expected to make substantial bids. However, negotiations stalled. Real Madrid, having already invested heavily in Kylian Mbappé, and PSG, cutting costs after the French captain’s exit, stepped back from pursuing Osimhen.

A surprise move came from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, who reportedly offered Osimhen a four-year contract worth €40 million ($44 million) per season, along with a reasonable release clause for European clubs. However, the deal collapsed when Napoli demanded an additional €5 million ($5.5 million) on top of Al-Ahli’s €80 million ($88 million) offer. The Saudi club pivoted to signing Ivan Toney from Brentford, leaving Chelsea as Osimhen’s last viable option.

Chelsea's offer, reportedly €4 million ($4.4 million) per year plus incentives, was significantly lower than Osimhen’s current €10 million ($11.06 million) Napoli salary. Unsurprisingly, the striker declined, and the transfer window closed without a resolution. Napoli then took a firm stance, excluding Osimhen from their 25-man Serie A squad and reassigning his number 9 shirt to Romelu Lukaku.

Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, clarified the club’s position before their match against Parma, stating,

With the Saudi transfer window closing on September 2 and Turkish clubs able to sign players until September 18, there remains a slim chance that Osimhen could secure a move. Otherwise, he faces the prospect of sitting on the sidelines until January, earning his substantial salary but not playing.

The situation leaves Napoli and Osimhen in a tense standoff, with the striker's future hanging in the balance.