Arsenal, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain have had their eyes on Napoli’s star Victor Osimhen for a while now. But Saudi Pro League club, Al-Ahli, might outbid them, offering more than €65m to Napoli for the player.
Osimhen wants to exit Napoli this summer, and the Italian club is trying to help him move. Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea have discussed a possible deal with Napoli but have not reached an agreement yet.
Corriere dello Sport reports that Arsenal are ready to make an offer close to the new asking price of €100 million plus bonuses.
Osimhen Eager to Exit Italy
PSG refused to meet Napoli’s price for the 25-year-old. He agreed to a new deal in 2023 with a €130m buyout clause, but he’s now at odds with the club because of their social media behaviour and hopes to depart this summer. Chelsea have also had several talks to try to make a deal happen.
Fabrizio Romano now says Napoli and Al Ahli are nearing an agreement on a €65m transfer for the striker. This move would make him one of the biggest stars to join the Saudi Pro League this summer.
The report also mentions Napoli’s openness to selling. However, Osimhen has not agreed to the move yet. The runner-up in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations wants a hefty salary and aims to have a release clause in his contract. People say he is not keen on leaving Europe this early in his career. Moussa Diaby, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nacho Fernandez are some of the players who have moved to the Middle East this summer.
After his move from LOSC Lille in Ligue 1 to Napoli, the Nigerian player has netted 76 goals in 133 matches, with 65 of them coming in Serie A. Osimhen played a crucial part in Napoli’s league title victory in the 2022-23 season.
Last week, head coach Enzo Maresca hinted that Chelsea might try to sign a striker before Friday’s transfer deadline. He mentioned the club wanted to bring in a number nine who could “make the difference“.
PSG will not chase Osimhen again despite his wish to move to Paris and Goncalo Ramos’s injury. Ramos will sit out about three months due to a broken ankle. This gives PSG fewer attacking choices after Kylian Mbappe headed to Real Madrid.
Osimhen has not played in Napoli’s first two matches of the 2024/25 Serie A season. His future stays uncertain as Antonio Conte’s squad has agreed to bring in Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea to take his place.
Chelsea and Arsenal Still in the Transfer Race
Chelsea’s top priority is to sell up to six players in the coming week before ramping up discussions, as they compete with Al-Ahli to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. Chelsea want to arrange a loan with a requirement to buy the 25-year-old. Napoli and Osimhen have hinted they might lower their expectations to make the transfer happen.
Reports suggest the Blues have begun fresh negotiations to acquire the Nigerian international. The updated terms benefit Chelsea more, but the player’s wages might still pose problems.
Chelsea have signed eight new players this summer: Omari Kellyman, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Viega, Caleb Wiley, Pedro Neto and Joao Felix. Arsenal meanwhile, have boosted their team with David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori. Mikel Merino, who won Euro 2024, will join Arsenal soon too.
For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on:
