Victor Osimhen gets Napoli return date ahead of Barcelona UCL clash
Football![Victor Osimhen gets Napoli return date ahead of Barcelona UCL clash](https://images.sportsbrief.com/images/320x180/b5a8b4a1a7444de5.webp?v=1)
Chelsea and Arsenal have been given a boost in their pursuit of Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, as the Nigerian is reportedly keen on moving to the English Premier League this summer.
The Blues and Gunners are two clubs credited with an interest in the 25-year-old, but they will face stiff competition from Ligue 1 giants, Paris Saint-Germain, for the Napoli star's signature.
According to Complete Sports, transfer expert Ben Jacobs has disclosed the Premier League clubs have an advantage in the race to sign Osimhen as the Nigerian prefers a move to England.
"We still can’t rule out Arsenal in the race for Osimhen. It’s also true that PSG have Osimhen very, very high on their list of targets and can move in the market because they will free up money due to Kylian Mbappe’s departure.
Victor Osimhen gets Napoli return date ahead of Barcelona UCL clash
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"I’m still told by sources that Osimhen’s priority is the Premier League, which is encouraging for Chelsea and Arsenal."
Osimhen just signed a contract extension with Napoli until June 2026, but the Serie A champions are willing to part ways with their star striker as long as any potential bidders can meet his €130 million release clause.
Meanwhile, Osimhen will demand a higher salary in the region of £250,000 per week if he is to consider leaving Napoli for any of the top clubs in Europe at the end of the season, Punch NG reports.
The 25-year-old forward, who joined the Partenopei in 2020, has scored 69 goals in 121 matches and has attracted interest from the top clubs in Europe, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and PSG.
Osimhen became the first African player to win the Capocannoniere in 2022/23 when he finished as Serie A’s top scorer with 26 goals, helping Napoli win the title for the first time in 33 years.
Victor Osimhen: English Premier League Club Desperate To Land Nigerian International
FootballEarlier, Sports Brief reported that Napoli's new head coach, Francesco Calzona, has backed Osimhen to reclaim his form, which saw him finish as Serie A’s top scorer last season.
The Nigerian forward has managed just nine league goals for the reigning Serie A champions this season after struggling with injuries and an overall decline in performance.
Osimhen, who recently returned from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after Nigeria's silver-place finish, found the net for the second straight game against Cagliari on February 25.