The reigning Italian champions in a bid to keep their star striker, Victor Osimhen, offered a new two-year contract extension with a salary worth €10 million to the Nigerian.
Osimhen, who has two years left on his contract at Napoli, had demanded an annual salary increase in order to extend his stay with the Italian champions, a deal which could see him become Nigeria's biggest earner.
For what it's worth, the club were keen to tie him down to a new deal amidst interests from some of Europe’s top clubs, and a humongous offer from Saudi Arabia.
It was gathered that the new proposed deal will include a release clause worth €150 million for a Saudi offer, and €100 million for a European offer for the Nigerian striker.
The 24-year-old was key to the Partenopei's first title in 33 years, scoring 26 goals in 32 games, to guide his side to a league triumph with games left to spare.
The proposed Victor Osimhen salary however is north of what the club has ever offered to any player in their history; as such, plans had to be made in order to be able to fund their favourite forward wage bill, along with the other players in the squad.
How Napoli intends to pay Victor Osimhen's proposed €10 million salary
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport as reported by Napoli Magazine on Thursday, 24 August, Napoli have drawn modalities on how to pay up Victor Osimhen's €10 million annual salary.
GAZZETTA – Rinnovo Osimhen, pronto un contratto da oltre 10 milioni di euro a stagione https://t.co/42bu1Z6xLx
— Napoli Magazine (@napolimagazine) August 24, 2023
“The club will draw from the treasury, and not from the capital gains money, the money to renew Osimhen's contract.”
Just like it is with most of the big teams in Europe with their talismanic forwards, Napoli's star striker will become the club's top earner.
“The Nigerian salary will be the highest ever under the De Laurentiis management. A treasure that will be used by the president to satisfy the economic ambitions of his centre forward.”
As revealed, the contract extension has not been finalized; but when it's done, it'll be a record for the club.
“There is still no signing on the extension to 2026, but when the Italian club is signed for the first time – in the 19 years of Filmauro management – he will pay a salary of over ten million net per season.”
The report notes the risks involved in the deal, but acknowledges that strategies have been drawn in order to still maintain a healthy squad that has become a winning group.
“A maneuver that is in some ways risky but which has an underlying strategy first of all, so as not to give a signal of dismantling the team group itself, as well as the whole environment after winning the Scudetto.”
Victor Osimhen remains focused while awaiting the finalization of his contract extension
While discussions and preparations concerning his contract extension between Napoli and his agent are still ongoing, Osimhen has started the new campaign on a high.
The Serie A best striker opened his goal account for the new season against newly promoted side, Frosinone, last Saturday.
A goal from either side of the half ensured the Super Eagles hitman scored twice after Matteo Politano had opened the scoring for the champions this season, to give Napoli a 1-3 win and a right footing towards defending their title.
Napoli will play Sassuolo next Sunday in their second Serie A game of the season, and Osimhen will be eager to once again score against the visitors.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 months ago
