Soccer
2025 Italian Serie A winners, Napoli, could make a potential departure for Victor Osimhen even more difficult as they plan to raise their asking price for the Super Eagles forward, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 26-year-old moved to Naples in 2020 and made history by helping them win the league in 2023. A year later, he attempted to force a move away from the club, and in doing so, fell out with the Napoli board.
Osimhen spent last season on loan with Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals and providing eight assists in 41 games across all competitions for the Turkish side, but prior to joining them, he penned a new deal in Naples.
This saw him extend his contract with the club till the summer of 2027, while placing his release clause at €75m.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Galatasaray are keen on securing the services of the former LOSC Lille striker, although only Saudi Pro League side, Al-Hilal have submitted concrete offers, all of which Osimhen has declined.
As per Caught Offside, things could get complicated for all interested parties as Napoli prepare to increase the striker’s price tag if a deal is not struck by mid-July.
Manchester United and Liverpool are in the transfer market for a striker this summer, but the chances of both teams signing Osimhen might become more challenging if the saga goes deep into the transfer window.
According to Fotomac, Osimhen’s current release clause in his Napoli contract is due to expire on 15th July, and after this date, there will no longer be a set fee to trigger the striker’s exit, meaning the Italian side can raise their demands to any level, which would hinder the forward from achieving his dreams of playing in the English Premier League.
Soccer Liverpool’s move?
Arne Slot’s side have done good business in the transfer window this summer, and there could still be more to come. Liverpool have splashed the cash to bring in Leverkusen duo – Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz.
The Premier League Champions have also secured the services of Milos Kerkez from AFC Bournemouth and are keen on bringing in Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace as per Liverpool Echo.
The Reds have also parted ways with Jarell Quansah, and more players like Federico Chiesa, Luis Diaz, Andy Robertson, Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliot could exit Anfield.
Nunez has been linked with a move to Napoli, but the Serie A Champions have shunned the options of a swap deal, and Liverpool will not move for Osimhen unless the Uruguayan is off their books.
The Nigerian striker has long been admired by United, who see him as an ideal addition to lead their attack under Ruben Amorim, considering how poor Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have been in front of goal.
The three-time UEFA Champions League winners need a new forward without a doubt, ahead of next season. They’ve already wrapped up a deal for Mattheus Cunha and are close to sealing a move for Bryan Mbeumo.
Still, they’ll need to make sales before July 15th if they’re to have any chance of bringing Osimhen to Old Trafford.
Potential exits for players like Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford could free up funds for the Red Devils to finance their transfer business, but if United do not move decisively in the coming weeks, they risk either missing out on Osimhen altogether or having to pay an inflated fee for the Nigerian international.
Worse, they could end up without a new striker in the 2025/2026 season, and that would mean a progression of their goalscoring problems.
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