Napoli director Giovanni Manna has confirmed that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen wants to leave the club, potentially opening the door for Chelsea and other interested teams. Even though Chelsea has already secured Samuel Omorodion from Atletico Madrid, they are still on the lookout for a top-notch goal scorer and continue to have strong interest in Osimhen. The 25-year-old striker is a key target for Chelsea as they aim to boost their attacking options for the 2024-2025 season.
Osimhen’s standout performances have caught the eye of several leading European clubs, including Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Liverpool. However, his €130 million release clause has been a barrier for many, making Chelsea the leading contender for his signature.
Osimhen’s absence from Napoli’s pre-season matches and their Coppa Italia game against Modena has fueled speculation about his future. Manna confirmed that the striker has expressed a clear desire to leave and that Napoli is prepared for his potential departure.
“Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club,” Manna told reporters.
“He wants to move on. We are ready for this situation, which was already a possibility last summer. Victor’s departure is on the horizon. We have 20 days to see how things develop.
“While Osimhen is a valuable player, we prioritize maintaining team harmony and are prepared to replace him if necessary.”
This situation might spark discussions between Napoli and Chelsea, especially since Napoli is also interested in signing Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.
Despite Osimhen’s agent initially dismissing a swap or loan deal, the player’s strong desire to leave might prompt a reconsideration of these options.
