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Tony MoganPublished Aug 11, 2024, 3:33pm|Updated Aug 11, 2024, 3:34pm
Victor Osimhen has handed in a transfer request as he attempts to force his way out of Napoli before the summer transfer window closes.
The Nigeria international played a pivotal role in Napoli’s 2022-23 Serie A success but his future at the club has been under intense scrutiny since last summer.
Osimhen has trained with the club throughout the summer but has not featured in any of their pre-season games with new head coach Antonio Conte eager to bring in Romelu Lukaku as his replacement.
Napoli have agreed to let Osimhen leave this summer but the club’s president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, has been holding out for a team to trigger the striker’s €130m (£110.8m) clause.
Paris Saint-Germain were leading the race for his signature but despite extensive talks with the player’s camps were unwilling to meet that price and will instead stick with their current options of Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani.
Reports in Italy have claimed both Chelsea and Arsenal have reignited interest in the striker with Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna confirming he is now pushing to leave the club.
Speaking ahead of Napoli’s opening game of the season against Modena in the Coppa Italia, Manna said: ‘Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club. He wants to go.
‘The situation is clear, there were already chances for his exit last summer. Victor wants to leave. We will see in the next 20 days.’
Arsenal remain interested in signing a new striker this summer having missed out on Benjamin Sesko, who opted to sign a new deal at RB Leipzig.
Mikel Arteta’s side were eager to sign Newcastle United star Alexande Isak but were immediately priced out of any move for the Sweden international.
Gianluca di Marzio reports Arsenal remain firmly interested in Osimhen after this weekend’s developments at Napoli.
Chelsea have long-standing interest in Osimhen and have already taken their summer spending to £200million with Pedro Neto set to be unveiled by the club.
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