Victor Osimhen: Antonio Conte Drops Major Hint on Napoli Star's Future Amid Transfer Interests

• Victor Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli this summer if an offer comes in amid transfer interests from top European clubs
• The stumbling block to the deal so far has been his release of £110 million and his wage demands, which put Chelsea off
• New head coach Antonio Conte has dropped a major hint on the Nigerian forward’s future in his first press conference

Victor Osimhen is expected to depart Napoli this summer, and new head coach Antonio Conte admits he cannot stop him because of an existing agreement.

Osimhen has been linked with a move away since he helped the club win their first Italian Serie A title in 30 years in the 2022/23 under former boss Luciano Spalletti.

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He signed a new contract in the summer of 2023, and a ‘gentleman agreement’ was reached that would see him leave the club if his £110.8 million release clause was activated.

What Conte said about Osimhen's future at Napoli

Conte faced the media for the first time yesterday as Napoli's boss, and one question he was asked was about the future of some key players, including the Nigerian striker.

"As far as Osimhen is concerned, just as I knew very well about the situation of Kvara, Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, on which I have placed an absolute veto,” he said via Metro UK.

"Having said that, I know what the situation is regarding Osimhen. I know that there are agreements, that it is a situation different from all the others. I can only assist.

"He is a player of the highest level, exceptional, but I cannot enter into any discussion because it is part of previous agreements which have been clearly stated to me.”

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The major stumbling block to the departure of the reigning African Footballer of the Year is his release clause, which, according to The Athletic, made Chelsea withdraw from his pursuit.

According to Calciomercato, Aurelio De Laurentiis has resolved to lower the fee and entertain offers in the region of £85mil to ease the player’s exit and raise transfer funds for Conte.

Chelsea's options after withdrawing from Osimhen race

Sports Brief previously analysed four strikers Chelsea could sign after withdrawing from the race for Osimhen due to his transfer fee and wage demands.

In recent developments, two of those names, Julian Alvarez and Benjamin Sesko, have been confirmed to stay at Manchester City and RB Leipzig, respectively.