Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has made it clear that Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, will be sold during the summer transfer window. However, he has ruled out the possibility of the Nigerian striker joining Serie A rivals Juventus, despite their reported interest. Instead, Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea have emerged as the frontrunners for Osimhen’s signature, as they are well-positioned to meet his financial demands.
Osimhen has been a revelation in the Turkish Süper Lig this season. The 26-year-old forward has scored an impressive 21 goals in 24 league appearances for Galatasaray, maintaining a remarkable average of 0.99 goals per 90 minutes. His contributions extend beyond scoring, with four assists and a league-leading goal involvement rate of 1.19 per match. Notably, he recently delivered a stunning hat-trick in a 4-0 victory against Antalyaspor, further solidifying his reputation as one of Europe’s most in-form strikers.
De Laurentiis is determined to capitalise on Osimhen’s outstanding form by securing a lucrative transfer deal. While Galatasaray initially attempted to make the move permanent with a €65 million bid in January, Napoli rejected the offer, holding firm on their €75 million valuation. This release clause will become universally applicable for all suitors during the summer transfer window. Arsenal and Chelsea have emerged as potential destinations due to their ability to match Osimhen’s salary demands and their need for a prolific striker to bolster their squads.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen on signing Osimhen to strengthen his attacking options as the Gunners aim for sustained title contention. Meanwhile, Chelsea sees him as a key piece to improve under Enzo Maresca and try and win the title next season.
