In the latest Victor Osimhen transfer news making the rounds, Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has revealed that he is unsure about the forward signing a contract renewal with the club.
After the Nigerian forward stayed put at Napoli over the summer, De Laurentiis had held multiple meetings with the player's agent, Roberto Calenda, and it seemed like a renewal was all but one step away from being completed.
It appears they were only rumors and the latest news indicates that the 24-year-old's future with the Serie A champions is rather uncertain – with the player leaning towards an exit.
The doubts were heightened after Calenda’s comments following the recent TikTok controversy, with Osimhen's entourage threatening legal action against the club.
🚨🔵 The Official Napoli TikTok account posted an unprofessional & ill-mannered video of their own player Victor Osimhen missing a penalty today (which has been deleted since).
His agent, Roberto Calenda said this: "What happened today on Napoli's official profile on the TikTok… pic.twitter.com/WPEwG19yZ1
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 26, 2023
“What happened today on Napoli's official profile on the TikTok platform is not acceptable. A video mocking Victor was first made public and then, but now belatedly, deleted,” said Calenda.”
“We reserve the right to take legal action and any other useful initiative to protect Victor.”
There is nothing certain about a Victor Osimhen transfer but an exit from Napoli could come even as early as the upcoming winter window.
Osimhen transfer: De Laurentiis unsure about contract renewal for Napoli forward
In a recent interview with Sport Mediaset (via TMW), De Laurentiis spoke about Osimhen’s future to an extent, revealing that the forward has had second thoughts about a contract renewal.
De Laurentiis stated: “I have never been unhappy towards Osimhen, but there are always two of us in these things. I have remained the same, if his mood has changed I can’t do anything about it.
“If things change after a handshake, it’s disappointing, we take note of it but then life goes on. There are excellent relations with him, the contract expires in 2025, there is time. Don’t forget that I sold Koulibaly a year before his contract expired.”
Will Osimhen leave Napoli?
A host of sides across Europe have been alerted to Osimhen's situation at Napoli and concrete moves for the player's signature could start coming in from January.
Recent reports claimed that Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are considering a move for a Nigerian forward, with further rumors hinting that the Reds have stepped up the pursuit of the 24-year-old in recent weeks.
Klopp reportedly sent one of his top scouts to keep a close eye on Osimhen during Nigeria's recent international friendly fixture against Saudi Arabia, a game which the striker unfortunately had to come off after picking up a hamstring injury just before the hour-mark.
Liverpool sent scouts to watch Osimhen in Portugal in the international friendlies.
Chelsea & Man Utd are on alert after the latest development.
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) October 19, 2023
Osimhen was visibly annoyed at being substituted by Rudi Garcia some weeks ago – hinting that the player and coach do not have the best of relationships at the moment. However, it remains to be seen if January would come to soon for an exit.
It is also believed that Chelsea are also actively considering the idea of a Victor Osimhen transfer move, but the Blues are seeking more clarity on the player's situation and stance before making their intent for his signature official and public.
It looks set to be a two-way battle between Liverpool and Chelsea for Osimhen, but the duo of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also reportedly in the race as well.
Since the club parted ways with Luciano Spalletti and the arrival of Rudi Garcia, Napoli have struggled to replicate their dominance from last season early on into the new campaign, with the Partenopei currently in fifth place – already seven points behind top-of-the-table AC Milan.
Having sustained an injury on international duty, Osimhen is expected to miss around four to six weeks of action and will be unavailable for selection when Napoli travel to take on Hellas Verona in Serie A on Saturday afternoon.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 week ago
