Nigeria’s Osimhen open to staying at Conte’s Napoli as PSG interest cools

Victor Osimhen continues to be linked with a move away from Napoli but that widely expected transfer may not happen this summer, Soccernet.ng understands.

The Nigeria international shot to the top of the transfer wishlist of half of Europe’s biggest clubs last year after netting an astonishing 31 goals to power Napoli to a first Scudetto title in over 30 years.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, PSG, and a couple of Saudi Arabian clubs tried to sign him immediately after his remarkable exploits.

However, Napoli managed to convince Osimhen to sign a contract extension in December with the understanding that he was free to leave should any club meet Napoli’a transfer demands.

Interestingly, no club has stepped forward to cough out the €130 million release clause in Osimhen’s contract with only PSG ready to do business if Napoli offer a significant discount.

Several reports suggested that Napoli and PSG were close to reaching an agreement at the weekend, but there are fresh indications that the deal is nowhere near crossing the finishing line.

According to French journalist Loic Tanzi, negotiations between PSG and Napoli have cooled in recent hours.

This is primarily because the French giants have not been able to offload one of strikers Gonçalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani to make room for Osimhen in their squad.

Contrary to some reports, however, Osimhen is not desperate to leave Naples and will not force Napoli to sell him.

Rather, the Super Eagles striker is willing to stay one more year at Napoli and work under coach Antonio Conte.

The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager has never hidden his preference for Romelu Lukaku in case Osimhen leaves.

The Nigerian forward will now have a discussion with Conte with a view to leading the line for Napoli next season.