Napoli rejects Offer for Osimhen. African footballers. Osimhen was linked to several top clubs during the transfer window, with interest from Chelsea, PSG, and Arsenal. However, no deal was finalized before Deadline Day across Europe’s major leagues.
Despite the possibility of being side-lined by Napoli, the 25-year-old Nigerian striker ended up moving to Galatasaray on loan, postponing what seems to be his eventual departure from the Serie A team.
We wrote about it here: Victor Osimhen agrees to surprise Galatasaray loan deal
Napoli was firm on demanding a high fee for Osimhen, insisting that his €130 million release clause be met for any transfer. Neither club was willing to meet this price.
Both PSG and Chelsea made attempts, with Chelsea failing to agree on personal terms, while PSG reached an agreement with Osimhen but couldn’t finalize a deal with Napoli.
Reports have revealed that PSG made a massive €210m offer for Osimhen, which also included Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but Napoli rejected the bid despite the players’ combined value being around €136m.
Read also: New twist in Victor Osimhen transfer saga as Saudi club makes €65m bid
Napoli may have considered selling Osimhen for the right price but wasn’t ready to part with both players. In the meantime, they are negotiating a new contract with Kvaratskhelia, although his situation might become similar to Osimhen’s, without matching his salary.
More about Victor Osimhen
Victor James Osimhen is a Nigerian striker who plays for Galatasaray on loan from Serie A club Napoli and represents the Nigeria national team.
Osimhen started his professional career at VfL Wolfsburg in 2017 before being loaned to Charleroi for the 2018–19 season. He later moved to Lille, where he scored 18 goals in a single season. In 2020, he made a record-breaking €70 million transfer to Napoli. His impressive performances earned him the Serie A Best Young Player award for 2021–22, and he became the league’s top scorer in 2022–23 with 26 goals, leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years. He also holds the record as the highest-scoring African in Serie A history.
On the international stage, Osimhen won the Golden Boot at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup and debuted for Nigeria’s senior team in 2017. He competed in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 and 2023, and is the joint-third highest goal scorer for Nigeria. In 2023, Osimhen finished eighth in the Ballon d’Or and became the first Nigerian to be named African Footballer of the Year since 1999.