Napoli line up Osimhen replacement as Arsenal and Chelsea rumours build

Tom Weber

Updated: 29 Nov 2023 20:09 GMT
3 min read

Victor Osimhen, Arsenal, Chelsea — © ProShots

Napoli have lined up four big-name strikers to potentially replace Victor Osimhen, according to a report.

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The Italians are preparing for life without the Nigerian sharpshooter. Over the course of just a few months, Osimhen's relationship with his club has grown increasingly frosty and talks over a new contract for the 24-year-old have stalled.

Osimhen was one of Europe's most sought-after players in the summer and his stocks remain high after firing Napoli to their first Scudetto in 33 years last term. This season, he has notched six goals and two assists in 11 games across all competitions.

The threat of losing Osimhen in 2024 is a very real one. In fact, unless the Serie A side can somehow convince him to extend his deal, which currently expires in 2025, they will be forced to cash in on him in the summer at the latest. Arsenal and Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for him and especially the latter appear to be the favourites to land him.

Napoli's replacements

According to 90min, Napoli have begun scouring the striker market for potential Osimhen replacements, illustrating that they are planning for a scenario in which he doesn't sign a new deal, something that seemed almost impossible after he rejected several lucrative offers from abroad in the summer.

Since Osimhen would command north of €100 million, the Italians would have a fair bit of money to spend in the event of a sale and as such are eyeing some big names. The report asserts that long-standing Premier League target Jonathan David, Leverkusen sensation Victor Boniface and Leipzig star Lois Openda are all on Napoli's wishlist.

Osimhen's compatriot Akor Adams is also an option, having impressed for Montpellier this term. Boniface and Openda have both been in the news a lot lately with their stunning goalscoring exploits in the Bundesliga, with the latter in particular making headlines after scoring in both of Leipzig's games against Man City.