Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly lurking around to see how Victor Osimhen’s current contract discussion goes.
There are speculations that Osimhen may not be disposed to staying with Napoli after this season following the recent poor turn of his relationship with the Italian champions.
There is still a large gap between offer and request as Victor Osimhen negotiates a new contract with Napoli, leaving the door open for a transfer next summer.
The 24-year-old Nigerian striker was the star of the show in the Partenopei’s Scudetto winning campaign last season, scoring 31 goals across 39 total matches, proving himself to be one of the most dangerous strikers in Europe.
Osimhen has continued to perform well this season, despite the drop in form and off-pitch drama, scoring six goals across eight Serie A matches. With less than two years left on his current contract, Napoli are keen to tie him down to a new long-term deal.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 4")
As reported by Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com, Osimhen would like his salary to be doubled in a new deal – from the current €4.5m net to around €9m net per season. He and his agent, Roberto Calenda, are also pushing for an accessible release clause.
Napoli’s offers have not come close to the €9m salary mark yet and they want to set the release clause to over €200m, creating a significant divide between the two parties.
Liverpool and Chelsea both set their sights on Osimhen in the last summer transfer window and could return next year should no agreement be reached.
Samuel Chukwueze has struggled during his first few months at AC Milan and is currently out with an injury. However, his compatriot Victor Osimhen is confident that he will start shining for the Rossoneri soon.
Meanwhile, Osimhen has come out in stout defence of his compatriot, Samuel Chukwueze, who has not lit up Serie A as expected since he joined AC Milan at the beginning of the season,
Chukwueze was the most expensive signing of the summer, coming in at €20m plus €8m in bonuses, but he’s yet to register a goal or an assist in nine appearances. Furthermore, he’s currently dealing with an injury and is thus unavailable.
Speaking live on the Twitch channel TV Play, as cited by MilanNews24, Osimhen stated that he would bet his life on the winger, also highlighting the fact that he struggled in his first few months at Napoli.
“Chuk is a great talent for his age. I also struggled the first two months in Italy. Serie A is a very competitive league. He came from a different league; I would bet my life on his talent. He must believe in his talent, and it will start to show,” he stated.
It remains to be seen when Chukwueze will be back in action for the Rossoneri. Pioli could certainly use him as Christian Pulisic cannot start every game, but at least now Luka Romero is expected to feature more.
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