Transfer: Napoli Ready to Reduce Osimhen's Asking Price, Details Emerge
- A number of top European teams have reportedly shown interest in signing Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian international
- Legit.ng reports that the teams include Paris-Saint Germain (PSG), Arsenal, and Chelsea FC
- It was gathered that many clubs were initially put off by Napoli's asking price but could potentially show renewed interest in the Nigerian forward following a reported price drop
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering sports and football in Nigeria and worldwide.
Napoli, Italy - Napoli are reportedly contemplating reducing their asking price for Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen.
The Nigerian international currently has a €150 million release clause in his contract, which has allegedly deterred potential buyers.
Source: Getty Images
Calciomercato reported on Monday, June 24, that Napoli may lower their initial valuation to €100 million.
The move aims to free up essential transfer funds for new manager Antonio Conte, who is eager to sign Belgian international striker Romelu Lukaku this summer.
Clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain have shown interest in the past, and might reignite their interest should Osimhen’s asking wage be reduced.
Victor Osimhen's trajectory
Regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, the 25-year-old is known for his elite finishing, pace, strength and athleticism.
Osimhen began his senior career in Germany at VfL Wolfsburg in 2017.
Following a season and a half at the club, he moved to Belgian side Charleroi on loan in 2018–19, before moving to Ligue 1 with Lille, scoring eighteen goals in his sole season with the French club.
In 2020, Osimhen transferred to Serie A side Napoli for a club-record fee of €70 million.
Osimhen's price tag: Football fans react
Meanwhile, Nigerian football fans who spoke to Legit.ng linked the reduction in Osimhen's asking price to his outburst against former Super Eagles coach, Finidi George.
Oshinuga Esan said:
"The market devaluation actually calls for concern. Osimhen needs to apologise to Nigerians as a whole, most especially to Finidi George."
Musa Ibrahim spoke in the same vein. He said:
"When we were condemning Osimhen's attitude, many abused us. They think Europe is like Nigeria where you run insults on coaches and even insult everyone.
"I have always been supporting Osimhen but when you try to condemn his action over that video, some people think we hate him. I hope they can now see the implication.
"Osimhen needs to work on his attitude and quickly apologise to Finidi."
For Shina Leke, Napoli is "desperate to offload" the Nigerian star.
He told Legit.ng:
"I don't think any big serious club would want to go for Osimhen. It is not just about the price. We've seen players way above that valuation that other clubs are competing to buy.
"No club wants bad energy in the dressing room and on the pitch."
NFF reacts to Osimhen's alleged ban
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) debunked reports in some online publications that it slammed a ban on Osimhen.
The NFF general secretary, Mallam Mohammed Sanusi, expressed amazement at the reports, saying the federation neither instructed nor concluded a process to ban Osimhen from the national team.
The speculations had followed Osimhen's outburst against immediate-past Super Eagles coach, Finidi George.
Proofreading by James Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
