Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will not feature in Napoli’s Coppa Italia first-round match against Modena today, as his future with The Blues remains shrouded in uncertainty.
The 25-year-old, who has been the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer, has been following an individual training plan at Napoli’s sports centre without participating in any of the club’s pre-season friendlies.
Osimhen, who earns £325,000 per week at Napoli, making him the highest earner in Serie A, signed a new contract with the club in December that includes a €130m release clause, which none of his suitors is willing to trigger.
Paris Saint-Germain, considered the most serious suitors, have not offered more than €100m for the Nigerian international.
Chelsea had considered including him in a deal involving Romelu Lukaku, but the striker has blatantly refused a loan move.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Osimhen is also refusing to take a pay cut to facilitate a move to Chelsea.
“Forget about Victor Osimhen taking a pay cut; he won’t reduce his salary. This will be a deal I think will go down to the final week of the window,” Romano stated.
The striker’s refusal to consider a loan move has complicated Chelsea’s pursuit, as the London club are unwilling to meet his release clause.
With limited options, Osimhen is now said to be waiting for a renewed offer from PSG or a serious proposal from Saudi Arabia.
The 25-year-old joined Napoli from Lille in 2020 for a club record fee of €70m plus €10m in bonuses. He has been in stellar form for the Parthenopeans, guiding them to their first Scudetto in over three decades last season, scoring 26 league goals to claim the top scorer award.
As the transfer saga continues, Osimhen finds himself increasingly alienated from Napoli’s pre-season plans. His future hangs in the balance as the transfer window enters its final weeks.
