Napoli 'near agreement' for Victor Osimhen transfer

Napoli are close to finalising a transfer agreement with Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli for Victor Osimhen for a fee in excess of €65m, but the player has not yet said yes to the switch.

The Nigeria international has been one of Europe's most sought after strikers since leading Gli Azzurri to the Serie A title in the 2022/23 season, scoring 26 goals in the Italian top flight.

The 25-year-old followed that up with 15 efforts last term and signed a contract extension in 2023 with a release clause worth €130m, but he has since fallen out with the club over some social media antics and is keen to leave this summer.

Arsenal were said to have rejoined the likes of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign Osimhen, while a Napoli official recently admitted they are "working" on facilitating his exit.

Now, Fabrizio Romano reports Napoli are close to reaching an agreement with Al Ahli for a €65m transfer which would make the striker one of the Saudi Pro League's biggest arrivals of the window so far. Moussa Diaby, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nacho Fernandez are among those to have relocated to the Middle East this summer.

However, Osimhen has not yet green lit the move. The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations runner-up is said to want an 'important' salary and is keen for a release clause to be included in his contract, while some reports have suggested he wants to remain in Europe.

Osimhen's agent, Roberto Calenda, suggested a move to Saudi Arabia is not part of the striker's plans.

"Osimhen is a Napoli player, with a contract recently renewed with mutual satisfaction," he wrote on social media. "He made history and when there were major offers (also this year) we always accepted the club's decisions.

"As I said, it is not a package to be shipped far away to make room for new prophets. Victor was elected African footballer of the year, eighth at the Ballon d'Or, he still has so much to do in Europe. There is need [for] respect and balance."

Napoli had demanded a large transfer fee in previous talks with interested clubs but their asking figure has since dropped, with Osimhen not featuring in either of their first two Serie A games of the season.

Chelsea have so far signed Omari Kellyman, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Viega, Caleb Wiley, Pedro Neto and Joao Felix this summer, while Arsenal have brought in David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori. Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino will soon complete his switch to the Emirates Stadium.

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