Tag: Osimhen

Paris Saint Germaine  have reportedly  tabled a €60 million offer for  Desire Doue,  which could invariably  likely end their pursuit of  Napoli’s Nigeria international striker Victor Osimhen.

The Rennes’  winger  has been subject of intense interest  to  PSG , Bayern Munich as well as Premier League duo of Chelsea  and Arsenal  but  Football Transfers, yesterday  reported that  the French giants  have tabled a whopping €60m for the 19-year-old  youngster.

The news outlet claimed  that the offer for  Doue  may scuttle  PSG’s interest in  the Nigerian  ace  striker  since the €60m offer  for the Rennes’  youngster is a far cry from the €130m release clause planted on Napoli by the Partenopei.

French tabloid, L’Equipe, also reported that  PSG have agreed to match Rennes’ valuation of  Doue, offering a financial package worth €60m.

“This development could have massive implications for the future of Victor Osimhen,” noted

Tom Weber of Football Transfers. “The Nigerian wants to leave Napoli and the Serie A side are keen on cashing in on him, with Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku already waiting in the wings to replace him.”

But  in what  was a positive development , Football Italia claimed yesterday that  PSG  have not lost hope in their pursuit of Osimhen as they  only await a price drop.

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Transfer expert, Gianluca Di Marzio, was quoted as saying that PSG are set to return to the forefront in their charge for Osimhen soon.

“The Ligue 1 giants were dealt a blow recently when they failed to convince the Partenopei to agree on a transfer fee lower than the release clause which is set at around €130 million,” the Italian outfit stated. “PSG are now contemplating restarting negotiations with Napoli CEO Aurelio De Laurentiis who is personally dealing with the high-value player.

“The Nigerian has expressed his desire to move away from Naples this summer and his wish will be granted as soon as a considerable offer arrives.”

 With Napoli  reportedly  finalizing a deal for Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku  who is seen as a capable replacement  for Osimhen by new coach  Antonio Conte, the Neapolitans might be forced  to drop their asking price by a resounding margin for  PSG  to  snap up Osimhen.

There are fears that the deal for Victor Osimhen could collapse as Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly failed to conclude the deal, leaving the flanks open for English Premier League duo of Chelsea and Arsenal. 

The Parisian giants have been heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old Nigerian striker this summer, wanting to make a statement signing in the market following Kylian Mbappe’s free transfer to Real Madrid.

Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda flew to Paris to start facilitating negotiations between Napoli and PSG, and a call was held on Monday afternoon between Aurelio De Laurentiis and Nasser Al Khelaifi, with sporting directors Giovanni Manna and Luis Campos also involved.

Meanwhile, Calciomercato.com and Fabrizio Romano detailed  how the talks between Napoli and PSG regarding the Osimhen deal did not progress today, with the latter making it clear that they had no intention of activating his €130m release clause.

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The Partenopei then asked the Ligue 1 giants to include Kang-In Lee as part of the deal, but this idea was immediately ruled out. PSG suggested sending Carlos Soler and Nordi Mukiele in exchange, which Napoli then rejected.

The distance between the two clubs is large and there’s now a serious chance that Osimhen’s potential transfer to PSG could collapse, leaving him at Napoli for the time being.

Should the PSG deal does fall through, Chelsea and Arsenal would be more than happy to secure the Nigerian’s services even if none of them seem willing to match the Nigerian’s €130m clause. 

Antonio Conte has already identified the ideal replacement for Osimhen in Romelu Lukaku, but the Partenopei must wait to sign the Belgian until Osi leaves.

Koulibaly okays Lukaku

Nigeria international  striker  Victor Osimhen might be forced  to hold a  crucial talk with new Napoli  coach Antonio Conte over the possibility  of staying at least  for one more season with the Serie A side  in case  the much expected  move to Paris Saint Germain  did not come through.

Osimhen’s  much publicized  departure to PSG is still a ‘yoyo’ affairs  and incumbent  on Napoli accepting a  discount  far less than the  €130m amongst other factors.

According to Football Italia, Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, was in Paris last week to negotiate with PSG, and the Ligue 1 giants are reportedly willing to include one of their footballers in a player-plus-cash swap deal.

Furthermore, Sky Sport Italia  has equally  claimed  that this week could be decisive for Osimhen’s transfer to Paris, which would allow Napoli to raise funds to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.

Yet L’Equipe journalist Loïc Tanzi has reportedly  stated on  X, formerly Twitter, that talks between PSG and Napoli ‘have cooled down’ in recent days given that the Ligue 1 giants must sell Gonçalo Ramos or Randal Kolo Muani.

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The journalist  was also quoted as saying that Osimhen has even privately discussed a potential permanence in Napoli for one more season but still needs to talk to Antonio Conte about the matter.

Yet Football Italia  noted that  Napoli still expect to sell the Nigerian ace this summer given that the 25-year-old was not involved in the first two summer friendlies of the Partenopei.

But in  a related development, former Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly said  Lukaku would be  a good an ideal striker  for the Partenopei.  

 “We all know Rom(Lukaku), I’ve played many games against him,” said Koulibaly as per Football Italia. “He’s an important striker who has had the best seasons in his career with Conte.

“It all depends on Victor, but Lukaku could be the proper heir. Napoli can do great things.”

Napoli head coach, Antonio Conte has further clarified the situation about want-away Super Eagles attacker, Victor Osimhen insisting  that the Nigerian would be sold as he nears his switch to Paris Saint Germain (PSG).

Conte joined Napoli at the start of the ongoing preseason to help reshape the 2022-23 Series A champions but the former Chelsea manager has reportedly maintained that Osimhen does not figure in his programme.

Conte who was careful with his words since negotiations between Napoli and PSG is still ongoing, noted that to bring smiles back to the faces of Napoli fans some players must leave to give way to new players.

He confirmed some new arrivals at the club and pointed out that Osimhen’s issues would be resolved very soon after negotiations.

“I think we have re-aligned the ideas, we clarified the situation of some footballers who are important to me,” Conte reportedly told  Rai.“ Now, the second phase starts. It’s about understanding who is worthy of Napoli and who is not. 

“After the pre-season retreat, we’ll understand if there is a lot of work to do with the sporting director.”

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“Napoli have already signed Rafa Marin, Leonardo Spinazzola and Alessandro Buongiorno .

“I was aware of it. It’s all going as planned. To me, it’s not a surprise to wait. We face every situation in the right way. As I said, first, we re-aligned, now we evaluate, and then there will be sales and new signings. The vision is very clear. There will be no problems.”

If the deal to PSG sails through, it will mean a return to France from Italy  for Osimhen after four seasons  following his transfer from Lille to Napoli. 

He played 108 Series A games for Napoli scoring 65 goals and other 24 games and 11 goals in other competitions. 

Barring any last minute developments, striker Victor Osimhen  eagerly awaited departure  from  Napoli to PSG after the French giants  reportedly offered a deal of £84m (about N176 billion) to sign the ace Nigeria International.

Various Italian news outlets  have  claimed this week that  both Napoli are working  hard to meet their  transfer target with words rife that new coach Antonio Conte is more disposed  to  having a reunion with  Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku.

With a rash of English  club  unwilling  to meet Napoli’s staggering release cause of  £109m (about N229  billion) for Osimhen, PSG  reportedly asked  for a  discount  while offering further exchange of players in the deal.

Meanwhile, Italian outlet SPORT Mediaset as per Daily Mail , claimed  the deal is ‘near a turning point’ with the Nigerian’s agent Roberto Calenda having ‘flown to Paris to speak directly with PSG.’

The outlet adds that his trip to the French capital has ‘yielded very positive results’ with the French club and could be a blow for Chelsea and Arsenal.

The report added: “After the market summit, the French club has decided to close the deal, satisfying both Napoli and the player.”

Despite that Napoli owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis had reportedly placed a price tag of around £109million on the Nigerian star but PSG’s lower offer is ‘still capable of unblocking the deal.’

Osimhen had signed a contract extension to stay at Napoli until 2026 back in 2023, extending his stay at the Serie A side by another season.

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He has enjoyed a fruitful spell in Naples, since arriving back in 2020 from Lille.

Across 133 appearances for the club in all competitions he has scored a whopping 76 goals, with Osimhen helping Napoli clinch the league title during the 2022-23 season, having netted 26 goals during the season.

De Laurentiis, meanwhile, is keen to finalise a deal for Osimhen ‘as soon as possible’, according to SPORT Mediaset, so that Napoli can free up funds to swoop in for Lukaku.

The Chelsea striker, who has been on loan at Roma during the 2023-24 campaign, is available for a fee between £21m-£25m (€25m-€30m).

Lukaku, 31, scored 13 goals across 32 Serie A appearances last season and also found the back of the net seven times in the Europa League.

Nigerian ace missing in Conte’s first match

Paris Saint Germain  have reportedly demanded  huge discount from the staggering 130  euros  clause from Napoli to enable  it prise away  Victor Osimhen  even as the French giants  are willing to part with one or two players in exchange  for the Nigeria international striker.

According to multiple Italian sources, Osimhen’s agent has been holed in Paris over the last few days in order to pull off  the deal since Napoli expect to resolve the transfer  issue as soon as possible with words rife that new coach Antonio Conte  has expressed his desire to reunite with Belgian striker, Romelu Lukaku.

Italian leading tabloid La Gazzetta dello Sport even claimed Napoli sports director Manna has  further resumed  talks with PSG  as club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis  eagerly awaits a deal to be struck.

With no  English Premier League side stepping forward  to acquire  his services, PSG  seems to be the most viable option left  for Osimhen after  coach Luis Enrique identified  the Nigerian ace striker  as  the best replacement for  Kylian Mbappe  who left for real Madrid.

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According to the Italian Pink Paper “The path is set: PSG-Osi is no longer a suggestion,  it is the only possible destination for Victor and his desire for the Champions League.”

In a related development, Osimhen was not listed last night as  Conte oversaw  his first friendly match as Napoli coach against local side Anaune Val di Non  as part of their pre-season preparations in the mountains of Dimaro.

According to Sport Italia, when the line-up was originally announced to spectators, Osimhen was named on the bench, but it quickly emerged he was in fact in the stands.

A note from the club pointed out the striker has been working separately from the squad in training over the last few days due to fitness issues and is therefore “not at the disposal” of Conte.

Inevitably, this is also linked to the on-going reports of negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer at below the €130m release clause.

Napoli hope to get a deal done over the next 10 days and might be tempted to lower the asking price to just over €100m.

Victor Osimhen has again snubbed offers to move to the big-spending Saudi Arabian league and wishes to stay back in Europe to play in the UEFA Champions League in the new season.

According to Sky Sports, Osimhen still wants a move away from Napoli, but again he will not consider taking up a chance to secure his financial future with a lucrative offer in oil-rich kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Last season, the 25-year-old striker revealed how tempting an offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli was.

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He admitted the more he refused what was put on the table, the more the club raised the offer.

Osimhen has rejoined Napoli for pre-season training, but perennial French Ligue 1 champions PSG now remain the most realistic destination for Osimhen this summer.

Reports have suggested that a transfer of France striker Randal Kolo Muani will trigger off Osimhen’s switch to PSG.

French champions, Paris Saint-Germain are  reportedly ready to offer a total €200m to sign Napoli pair Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.

 According to Corriere dello Sport claims  as per Football Italia, PSG’s  interest in the Georgia international is absolutely no secret, along with the refusal of the Partenopei to sell him this summer.

The situation is very different for Osimhen, who has a release clause in his contract set at a reported €130m, although with a lack of proposals, they could consider letting the Nigerian leave for less.

PSG are badly in need of big signings to make up for losing icon Kylian Mbappé as a free agent to Real Madrid.

Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen impressed over the last two seasons at Napoli, but are unhappy with the failure to qualify for European competition this term.

The Georgian’s agent Mamuka Jugeli spoke to Nobel Arustamyan about his future.

 “We are sad he is not in the Champions League, which is why it is necessary to win the Scudetto. It all depends on the President of Napoli. If he thinks about selling Kvaratskhelia, then they will. If Napoli decide to keep him to his contract, he will renew it.”

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The tension is also because Kvaratskhelia is still on the same salary as when he first arrived from Dinamo Batumi, earning €1.8m per season.

The proposal to extend is for €5m plus up to €2m in bonuses, extending from 2027 to 2029.

In a related development, Sky Sport Italia claimed  Alvaro Morata moving to AC Milan could lead to a domino effect that could see PSG speeding up Victor Osimhen transfer from Napoli.

Milan have shifted their interest on Morata after their pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee went cold.

Atletico Madrid are willing to sell Morata to Milan and in the process sign France striker Randal Kolo Muani from PSG.

Victor Osimhen is ready to start the pre-season with Napoli, but while the Partenopei are ready to sell him, the Nigeria international hasn’t yet received offers from the Premier League, his favourite destination.

Osimhen was all smiles when he arrived at Castel Volturno on Tuesday to undergo pre-season medical tests with the Partenopei.

It is no secret that Napoli are prepared to sell the Nigerian international, who has a €130m clause in his contract.

There are rumours that Osimhen would consider staying at the Stadio Maradona to work under Antonio Conte, but La Repubblica and Corriere dello Sport insist the Partenopei want to sell Osimhen and replace him with Romelu Lukaku.

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The trouble is that Napoli haven’t yet received formal offers for the 25-year-old who dreams of a move to the Premier League.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the most interested clubs at the moment are Al Ahli and PSG.

However, Osimhen is not considering a move to the Saudi Pro League, while the Ligue 1 giants haven’t yet made a formal offer and seem unwilling to trigger the striker’s clause.

As per Corriere dello Sport, De Laurentiis could accept a lower offer as long as it arrives quickly, allowing Napoli to sign Conte’s primary target, Lukaku.

Victor Osimhen has started the pre-season with Napoli, but the Nigeria international keeps waiting for offers to leave the Stadio Maradona.

Osimhen arrived at Castel Volturno early to undergo medical examinations with Napoli and start the pre-season under Antonio Conte.

Osimhen is not expected to remain at the Stadio Maradona beyond the summer, but he hasn’t yet received formal offers to leave the club.

Osimhen’s contract includes a €130m clause, and despite links with Chelsea and PSG, the Partenopei have not yet heard from potential suitors, so their star striker will start preparing for the new campaign with the rest of the team.

La Repubblica reported that Osimhen was among the first players to arrive at Napoli’s training centre yesterday.

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The group included Leonardo Spinazzola and Rafa Marin, who had had medical tests on Monday, while Alessandro Buongiorno will undergo examinations today.

Antonio Conte is prepared to part company with Osimhen, as the coach explained in his first press conference. Romelu Lukaku has emerged as the primary option to replace the Nigerian striker.