Osimhen’s future in doubt as Napoli closes in on Lukaku signing

Victor Osimhen’s future at Napoli has been thrown into uncertainty after the Italian club reportedly reached a €30 million agreement with Chelsea to sign Romelu Lukaku.

According to Punch Sports Extra, the arrival of Lukaku could complicate Osimhen’s position at the club.

With potential suitors hesitant to meet Osimhen’s hefty €130 million release clause, there were discussions about the Nigerian striker staying another season in Naples. However, the signing of Lukaku, a powerful forward long admired by former Chelsea coach Antonio Conte, has cast doubt on Osimhen’s role.

Osimhen’s impressive 2023/24 season had made him a top target during the summer transfer window. Yet, with only seven days left for business, his future remains uncertain. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) initially showed interest in the 25-year-old as a possible replacement for Kylian Mbappe but eventually backed out.

Chelsea also expressed interest but preferred a loan deal, which Osimhen’s camp rejected. With the Premier League club now focused on acquiring Lukaku, Osimhen’s prospects of moving to England appear slim unless Chelsea reconsiders or agrees to a loan deal with lower wages.

Manchester United had also considered signing Osimhen earlier in the summer but never made a formal offer. Arsenal, too, were linked with the Nigerian star, with many seeing him as the perfect addition to bolster their title ambitions. However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has since ruled out the possibility, expressing confidence in his current roster of strikers.

With Napoli now seemingly set on bringing Lukaku on board, Osimhen may need to explore other options. One potential avenue is the Saudi Pro League, where clubs like Al Qadsiah, Al Ahli, and Al Hilal have shown interest. Al Hilal even made a significant offer last summer, which Osimhen turned down.

Napoli’s pursuit of Lukaku, a player set to turn 31 in May, underscores their urgency to find a replacement for Osimhen.

The decision comes after a disappointing 3-0 loss to Hellas Verona in their opening Serie A game, highlighting the need for reinforcements.