"I sold Koulibaly" - Napoli owner hints at Victor Osimhen exit

James Shearman

• Updated: 19 Oct 2023 23:07 BST
• 3 min read

Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has hinted that Victor Osimhen could exit the club next summer.

Osimhen had been expected to sign a new deal in Naples but that has not yet come to fruition.

His existing contract expires in 2025 and Napoli fans will be starting to get concerned that he may be leaving sooner rather than later.

READ MORE: Who is Victor Boniface? The next €100m rival to Haaland and Osimhen

And, De Laurentiis' latest comments will have only made them more nervous going forward.

The Italian has referenced the sale of Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea when speaking on Osimhen's future at the club.

"I have never not been calm when it comes to Osimhen, but it takes two to tango," he said in a press conference. "I remain the same, if his mood has changed, then there’s not much I can do about that.

"If after a handshake things change, that is disappointing, we take it into account, but life goes on.

"We have a good rapport with him, the contract runs to 2025, so there is time. Don’t forget I sold Koulibaly at the last minute."

Speculation of Osimhen's departure reached new heights weeks ago when Napoli's social media channels posted a video mocking the striker for missing a penalty.

The post was soon deleted but that didn't stop the Nigerian's agent from threatening to take legal action.

Premier League interest in Victor Osimhen

Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been linked with a move for Osimhen next summer.

Both the Blues and the Gunners have not been clinical in front of goal in the 2023-24 season.

Meanwhile, Liverpool appear not to be sold on Darwin Nunez after reports emerged that Jurgen Klopp sent one of his scouts to watch Osimhen in action on international duty.

However, the 24-year-old was forced off with a hamstring injury after 59 minutes against Saudi Arabia, which caused him to miss Nigeria's next fixture with Mozambique.