Napoli’s star forward Victor Osimhen has officially requested to leave the club this summer, sparking serious interest from Chelsea. The announcement came after Osimhen was notably absent from the squad for a Coppa Italia match against Modena on Saturday.
Napoli’s Official Statement
Before the match, Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna confirmed the news, stating, “He asked to leave.” Manna reassured fans that the club is prepared for Osimhen’s potential departure, saying, “We are calm because we have players in the squad who can replace him in the best way. However, we do not want to harm the integrity of the group and want to preserve it.”
Chelsea’s Interest
Chelsea has been monitoring Osimhen throughout the summer and remains hopeful of securing the 2022/23 Serie A top-scorer. The deal might involve Romelu Lukaku heading to Napoli as part of the exchange. Paris Saint-Germain has also shown interest in the 25-year-old forward, but their attempts to sign him have stalled.
Key Points
- Osimhen’s Request: Officially asked to leave Napoli.
- Chelsea’s Target: Chelsea is keen to sign him before the transfer window closes.
- Napoli’s Preparedness: The club believes they have the players to fill the gap if Osimhen leaves.
Napoli’s Stance on Osimhen
Napoli’s intentions regarding Osimhen have been evident in recent weeks. The forward was excluded from several friendly matches leading up to the new Italian domestic season. Antonio Conte, who took charge earlier this year, made a strong statement by not including Osimhen in the squad for the game against Modena.
With three weeks remaining in the transfer window, Osimhen’s future is still uncertain, but the coming days will be crucial for both Napoli and Chelsea.
