Victor Osimhen trained with his teammates yesterday as they worked on tactical drills. However, he will not be participating in tonight’s friendly against Brest. With the risk of injury looming, it’s better for him to avoid serious contact. The Nigerian striker has often kept to himself during training, spending time either in the gym or doing therapy. This was evident during last Sunday’s test against Egnatia, where he stayed in the hotel, while his teammates, including Gaetano, were present.
This growing situation is becoming increasingly challenging for everyone involved. Osimhen is awaiting a suitable offer from Paris Saint-Germain, while Tottenham’s Antonio Conte is looking to sign Romelu Lukaku as his main striker, leaving Napoli caught in the middle. The issue is that there is no clear timeline for these moves. Napoli’s season kicks off on Saturday, October 10, with a Coppa Italia match against Modena, followed by their league opener on Sunday, October 18, against Verona. As it stands, no one knows who will lead Napoli’s attack, with Cheddira and Simeone performing well in training and Raspadori making his recent return.
The stagnation is causing tension, especially in the media, where chatter about Osimhen is rampant. His agent, Roberto Calenda, had to step in with a firm tweet addressing the speculation: “I read fanciful exchanges with Victor being sent here and there as if he were a package to be quickly delivered. This package, however, is the top scorer of Napoli’s historic third Scudetto. Respect it and stop the fake news!” In this climate of uncertainty, Calenda sought to remind everyone of Osimhen’s contributions to Napoli and to protect the club’s interests—they cannot simply sell such a critical player at a low price.
While it’s clear that both the club and the player have been on the same page regarding a departure, the problem lies in Napoli’s valuation of Osimhen. The club expects no less than €130 million, which may be challenging to demand after a disappointing season overall. Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has hinted at being open to negotiations, but any discounts would only be in the tens of millions. PSG has yet to submit an official offer this summer and appears to be far from considering even the minimum €100 million that Napoli would accept.
As for the framework of the transfer market, no major European clubs have invested in a top striker yet, leaving room for movement. Atletico Madrid needs to replace Morata, Arsenal is looking for a different forward, and Chelsea is searching for a striker to please their manager. The domino effect of the Lukaku deal could potentially lead to Osimhen’s move as well.
Osimhen waits for PSG, the one club capable of matching a top player’s salary, granting him a platform in the Champions League, and a strong chance at domestic titles. He is not in a rush; however, Napoli is feeling the pressure. Conte has reiterated that there were agreements made prior to his arrival at the club but hoped for a quicker resolution so he could work with a complete squad in training. Meanwhile, Lukaku finds himself training alone in Belgium, yet is expected at Chelsea soon, which adds to the frustration for all parties involved, including Osimhen, who is tired of the constant speculation about his future.