Probably the most-discussed transfer saga has probably come to an end, with the Nigerian striker opting to stay at Napoli, despite receiving a late offer from Chelsea, as per football insider Fabrice Hawkins.
After months of speculation surrounding his future, Victor Osimhen has informed both Chelsea and Napoli that he will remain with the Italian club, which won the Serie A title last season.
BREAKING VICTOR OSIMHEN STAYS IN NAPOLI. HE WON’T JOIN CHELSEA @RMCsport pic.twitter.com/Bo9votCU0k
— Fabrice Hawkins (@FabriceHawkins) August 30, 2024
The 25-year-old, who had also been linked with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, has decided to focus on his international duties with Nigeria for now. Reports suggest that Osimhen was disappointed with Napoli’s refusal to agree on transfer terms with Chelsea, which had offered him a lucrative €8 million per year contract. However, the bid reportedly fell short of Napoli’s revised asking price of €80 million.
Related article: Osimhen’s Salary Soars to 10 Million Euros After Extension With Napoli
Earlier, a deal with Al-Ahli fell through after Napoli raised the transfer fee at the last moment, leading the Saudi club to target Brentford’s Ivan Toney instead. Despite his frustration with the outcome, Osimhen will remain in Naples, where he is contracted with a €130 million release clause.
This decision has led to some tension between the player and the club, with Osimhen now set to compete for playing time against Napoli’s new striker, Romelu Lukaku, under manager Antonio Conte.
