Victor Osimhen: Garcia Weighs Possibility of Nigerian Striker’s Departure From Napoli

• Victor Osimhen helped Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years last season
• Top European clubs including Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in his signature
• Napoli boss Rudi Garcia has weighed the chances of the Nigerian departing the club this summer

Napoli head coach Rudi Garcia has weighed in on the possibility of seeing Victor Osimhen leave the club this summer and admits the player is calm amidst rumours.

Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille in 2021 for a world-record fee for an African player and helped the club to their first Italian Serie A title in 33 years last season.

He put up dominant performances and topped it off with the golden boot, scoring 26 goals and becoming the highest-scoring African in the league for a single season and the league in general.

This has alerted the rest of Europe to his potential, but club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has slapped a price tag of €150m on the player to scare off some potential suitors.

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Garcia speaks on Osimhen's future

New boss Garcia, who replaced title-winning manager Luciano Spalletti met the Nigerian for the first time last week when he returned from his holiday in Lagos and is already privy to his situation.

“I’ve had positive feelings. The group has impressed me and it’s pleasing. The first target is to keep all our players. Osimhen has a contract and he’s calm,” he told Il Corriere dello Sport.

“I hope he stays, he has a contract and everyone’s calm, but never say never in football. I am confident and he wants to stay.”

“He is one of the best strikers out there and we are happy he’s playing with us,” he added.

Goal UK reports that there is a standoff in contract extension negotiations after the club wanted to insert a release clause of £173m in his new deal, which is something the striker is not interested in, possibly opening the door for a permanent exit this summer.

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Sarri issues advice to Osimhen

Sports Brief reported that Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri advised Osimhen amidst uncertainty regarding his future in Naples, with a decision expected to be made soon.

The 64-year-old, who previously managed the club for three years, told the Nigerian there is a special feeling around the club that he would not get elsewhere, but he has to make his choices.