Napoli are close to tying down striker Victor Osimhen on a 12-month contract extension to fend off Premier League interest.
Arsenal and Chelsea have watched the Nigeria striker, 24, who has scored seven Serie A goals this season. He scored a league-leading 26 last term as Napoli ended their long wait for a first league title since the days of Diego Maradona.
Osimhen’s contract expires in 2025 and talks over a new deal - to include a €130m (£112m) buyout clause - have dragged on for months. But club president Aurelio De Laurentiis told Corriere dello Sport: “We are close to reaching an agreement.”
Osimhen was the star of the show for Napoli last season, hitting 31 goals in all competitions as the team won their first Scudetto since 1990 and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Things have been tougher this season, though, after manager Luciano Spalletti left to take charge of the Italian national team.
Spalletti's successor Rudi Garcia only lasted until November, at which point he was dismissed and replaced by Walter Mazzarri. It's a second spell in charge for veteran boss Mazzarri, who was also in the dugout for the 2011-12 Champions League campaign when Napoli fell to eventual champions Chelsea.
After 16 games, Napoli are down in fifth, some 14 points adrift of league leaders Internazionale. They have made it into the knockout rounds of the Champions League, though, with Osimhen and co set to take on Barcelona in the round of 16.
Arsenal and Chelsea are dealing with different issues in attack. The Gunners are among the Premier League's highest scorers, but lack a prolific number nine despite Gabriel Jesus' impressive all-round work.
Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to face questions up front despite spending big elsewhere on the pitch. Summer signing Christopher Nkunku has only just returned to action after picking up an injury in pre-season, while top scorer Nicolas Jackson has missed some high-profile chances either side of his seven league goals.
"Football is about scoring goals and we were not clinical in front of goal," manager Mauricio Pochettino told Match of the Day after his team's Premier League loss against Everton. "I'm really, really disappointed. We didn't get the point we deserved. I think we were better but we didn't get what we wanted.
"This was a game to play and to win. It's a problem we need to check. We need to analyse the reality. We need to talk and to try and improve in the next transfer market."
Lanryrichie3
1
Arsenal should try and get him can have alot to offer
tehbinuy
0
mumu Chelsea can buy him🤣🤣
VOsimhen9Fan
1
This is so annoying considering how racist Napoli had been towards him he signed an extension smh anyways enjoy your stay and let's all hope lightening doesn't strike twice because nobody will support you this time
meueklmnpy
0
😂😂😂buy those expensive players en cry later
100 mil nunez to compete with halland for less than 80 mil [Crylaugh], cry me a pool of ur experience
ChelseaFC_Addict
0
the release clause is high doesnt mean he will score lots of goal for that club or will become star player...and to sign striker with that amount is very risky if he isn't performing then what will happen...he can't change the position or become Winger etc but in case of midfielder can think about it..for time being chelsea can stick on to their current striker and focus more on creating chance abilities, shooting accuracy, and consistency from all the players...they aren't bad players most of them have potential to become class players all they need is good intense training
agreed
Rusabiklr
0
he will remain in Napoli for long
ChelseaFC_Addict
0
€130 million? who's gonna buy him? he's not worth that amount of money! €100 million yes but surely not €130 million, he's not smart he'll stay there like Koulibaly he doesn’t know that mafia
Zesabclstu
0
will Chelsea won the race for Ivan Tony
EMPERORk
1
that transfer blow is for gunners not Chelsea,we bought Enzo ND caicedo for more,so please just begin arranging the transfer doc already cz osimehn is coming home
Ellairdo
1
😂😂😂buy those expensive players en cry later
Nunez is wank
Jaccdiksty
2
the release clause is high doesnt mean he will score lots of goal for that club or will become star player...and to sign striker with that amount is very risky if he isn't performing then what will happen...he can't change the position or become Winger etc but in case of midfielder can think about it..for time being chelsea can stick on to their current striker and focus more on creating chance abilities, shooting accuracy, and consistency from all the players...they aren't bad players most of them have potential to become class players all they need is good intense training
GunnArs
1
this price tag/release clause is just a blow for arsenal, boehly will be “not more?! sold! 🤝”
appiahkubi3940
1
Chelsea club is not serious oo How much did they buy caicedo and Enzo common midfielder Why is so difficult to buy a top striker with that amount
Zaptoez
4
Osimhen is a good striker, the current African best, but I don't want him to come to Chelsea: Chelsea has not be lucky with big money and record signings He is not a Proven Epl striker I think we should look within the Epl and Championship, or go to Portuguese league to get a striker ranging from 30-50million pounds, that works well for Chelsea
Suubdlnuz
2
Napoli will find themselves in a tricky situation to have to sell him next season as there will be no championship league at Napoli next season, unless Napoli improve drastically from now
Zoscikmy
0
Chelsea don't buy this guy osi
HezekiahAlakiri
1
Oshimen worth every penny of it
Hidcdiostz
0
Chelsea should go and sign Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart. the guy outside being cheap is equally good. Chelsea, don't waste time.
Liverpooler
0
😂😂😂buy those expensive players en cry later