By Jennifer Amarachi
A Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, will not play in Napoli’s Coppa Italia first-round match against Modena on Monday as a result of his unclear future with the Blues.
The 25-year-old, who has been the focus of a lot of transfer rumors this summer, has been training alone at Napoli’s sports center and hasn’t taken part in any of the team’s preseason games.
Osimhen, who is now the highest paid player in Serie A at £325,000 a week at Napoli, inked a new deal with the team in December that includes a €130 million release clause that none of his suitors are willing to activate.
The striker has flatly rejected a loan move, and according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Osimhen is also refusing to take a pay cut to facilitate a move to Chelsea. “Forget about Victor Osimhen taking a pay cut; he won’t reduce his salary.
“This will be a deal I think will go down to the final week of the window,” Romano said.
Paris Saint-Germain, considered the most serious suitors, have not offered more than €100 million for the Nigerian
international.
The striker’s refusal to accept a loan move has complicated Chelsea’s pursuit, since the London club refuses to pay his release clause.
With few options, Osimhen is reportedly waiting for a repeat offer from PSG or a real proposal from Saudi Arabia. The 25-year-old moved to Napoli from Lille in 2020 for a club record sum of €70 million, plus €10 million in bonuses.
He has been in outstanding form with the Parthenopeans, leading them to their first Scudetto in over three decades last season, hitting 26 league goals and winning the top scorer award.
As the transfer saga unfolds, Osimhen becomes further estranged from Napoli’s pre-season plans. His future is uncertain as the transfer window nears its end.
