Italian champions Napoli have confirmed that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will leave the club in the summer. After leading Napoli to their first title in over 30 years, Osimhen has been a key target for a number of big European clubs.
Despite signing a new deal last month, the striker’s contract is said to include a release clause of £112million.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed that the club ‘know’ the star will depart this summer: ‘This was already known since this summer, our negotiations were friendly, otherwise it would not have been so long.
De Laurentiis went on to speculate on where the star could be heading in the summer transfer window.
“We knew he would go to Real Madrid, PSG or a top English club’ added Di Laurentiis.
Speaking to CBS, Osimhen confirmed himself that he ‘already knows’ his next steps for his footballing career.
“A rumour is going around about me linked with the Premier League,’ Osimhen said.
“When you are one of the hottest strikers in the globe, you expect this kind of thing. Of course, EPL is one of the biggest and best leagues in the whole world.
“At Napoli, I just signed a new contract, I enjoy my time there, going through it with the team, and at the end of the season – I already made up my mind. I know what I want to do with my career. Since I’ve started I’ve been the one taking my own decisions and everything’s working out for me, even though when I started, it didn’t go as well as planned, but I already had my plan.
“I already knew the next step I want to take.”
Chelsea and Arsenal – both in need of potent attacking firepower – are thought to be among the Premier League suitors keen on securing the Nigeria international.
Napoli are keen only to part with their striker at the top of the market, slapping a lofty valuation of around £130million on him.
Osimhen scored 31 goals in all competitions last season as Napoli won the Serie A, and has scored eight goals in 18 appearances in all competitions this season.
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