Napoli demand Man Utd and Chelsea pay record fee for Osimhen

Suraj Radia

• 20 Apr 2023 11:50 BST
• 2 min read

Victor Osimhen is expected to be one of the most in-demand players of the summer and Napoli have set an asking price of €150 million for their talismanic striker.

Osimhen is among the highest scorers in Europe this season, netting 21 goals in 22 league games, with Napoli on course to win their first Serie A title since 1990.

The Italian side are expected to cash in on Osimhen this summer as he enters the final two years of his contract, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain believed to be the strongest contenders for his signature.

WARNING: Why teams may need to be cautious over Osimhen deal

Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis is known to be a tough negotiator and Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport state he will only sell Osimhen for an ‘indispensable offer’, although the club have not given up hope in extending the Nigerian’s contract.

Osimhen has previously spoken of his dream to play in the Premier League as well as winning the Champions League, prompting Gazzetta to claim United as a ‘more decisive’ option than Chelsea, with the Blues set to miss out on European football next season.

However, Osimhen will only be allowed to leave for an Italian record transfer fee, something which Chelsea may be the most willing to pay, although there will certainly be a battle to sign one of the most exciting and strikers in world football.

Which team is most likely to sign Osimhen?

United are keen to sign a striker this summer and see Osimhen as one of their top transfer targets, along with Harry Kane and Goncalo Ramos, however they are unlikely to meet Napoli’s asking price due to the club’s uncertain ownership situation.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are equally desperate for an elite number nine but, having spent more than €600m on players in the past year, their spending may be restricted by financial fair play, especially without Champions League revenue next season.

COMPLICATED: Osimhen delivers big blow to interested sides

As a result, PSG could emerge as frontrunners to sign Osimhen, with the French side likely to revamp their front line with the impending departure of Lionel Messi, who could return to Barcelona when his contract expires in the summer.

However, Osimhen’s friend and idol, ex-Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, has warned the 24-year-old against signing for PSG, claiming the Ligue 1 side would not be the best place to develop his game.

"If he is really in the sights of a club like PSG, shows the full extent of his talent and the season he is doing,” Drogba told CanalPlus. “But it's not the club he needs to continue his growth.”