‘No clear picture on Nigerian’s transfer’
Napoli’s new coach, Antonio Conte, has revealed that Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, is not in his plans, saying that the former Italian champions have an agreement with the Nigerian to allow him join any interested club. He added, however, that such interested club must meet Napoli’s asking price.
Arsenal is among the sides said to be interested in recruiting the African Footballer of the Year. The Nigeria international has been linked with a move to the Premier League over the last couple of seasons and it could now come to fruition over the next few months.
Arsenal ‘will’ reportedly make a bid for Osimhen, but the Italian club is holding out for a team to meet the €130m (£110m) release clause in his contract.
There were recent reports that Napoli may now be forced to lower their asking price as sides in Europe, including Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, can’t meet their current valuation.
Conte told reporters: “As far as Osimhen is concerned, just as I knew very well about the situation of Kvara, Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, on which I have placed an absolute veto.
“Having said that, I know what the situation is regarding Osimhen. I know that there are agreements, that it is a situation different from all the others. I can only assist.
“He is a player of the highest level, exceptional, but I cannot enter into any discussion because it is part of previous agreements which have been clearly stated to me.”
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insists that there is unlikely to be any concrete movement on Osimhen’s situation until later in the summer.
“Another striker we continue to hear a lot about is Victor Osimhen, but the reality is that it still looks quiet on this story. I think this is a situation we have to follow in July/August, rather than this week, even if there have been some rumours about his asking price changing.
“Napoli are never an ‘easy club’ when it’s time to negotiate but for sure the expectation of all parties remains the same: Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli this summer.
“This is not the case with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, however, with new manager Antonio Conte making it clear he wants the Georgia playmaker to stay at the club. But with Osimhen, let’s see what happens later in the summer as I expect he still has good chances to leave the club.
“If Napoli do sell Osimhen, we may then also get a clearer idea about the future of Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea. For now, there is no substantial update on Lukaku, but Chelsea insist on their intention to sell Lukaku and not to accept any loan now, so the situation is still the same, and it won’t be changing. It will take time and it will depend on clubs’ strategy.”
