- Napoli President De Laurentiis announces Victor Osimhen’s summer departure, citing a £112m release clause in the recently signed contract
- Osimhen’s prolific form attracts interest from Premier League clubs, with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, along with Real Madrid and PSG monitoring
Napoli President, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has officially announced that Victor Osimhen will depart the club this summer. Despite signing a new contract with the Italian champions just last month, it’s been revealed that the agreement includes a release clause of approximately £112m.
The 25-year-old striker recently expressed his intention to explore new opportunities during the summer transfer window. Osimhen hinted at a potential move to the Premier League, with reported interest from Chelsea and Arsenal. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also closely monitoring the situation, while Manchester United is actively seeking an elite centre-forward and has been previously linked to Osimhen.
In a conversation with reporters, De Laurentiis disclosed that negotiations for the new contract had an understanding about Osimhen’s departure destination. He stated, “This was already known since this summer; our negotiations [over the new contract] were friendly, otherwise, it would not have been so long. We knew he would go to Real Madrid, PSG, or a top English club.”
Osimhen showcased exceptional form for Napoli during the 2022-23 season, scoring 31 goals and providing five assists in 39 appearances across all competitions. His prolific performances, especially in Serie A with 26 goals, played a vital role in Napoli clinching the title. However, the current season has seen Napoli struggle in their title defense, placing them in ninth position.
Despite the challenges, Napoli remains within reach of Champions League football, sitting just three points behind fourth-placed Fiorentina. Osimhen, with eight goals and three assists in 18 appearances this season, continues to be a crucial asset for Napoli.
Having joined Napoli from Lille in 2020, Osimhen has made 119 appearances for the club, scoring 67 goals and providing 17 assists. Currently with the Nigeria squad at the Africa Cup of Nations, Osimhen’s contributions have helped his country reach the last-16 stage, where they will face Cameroon. The striker’s departure marks a significant transition for Napoli as they navigate the challenges of reshaping their squad for the future.