According to rumors, Napoli will demand £150 million for their top striker Victor Osimhen this summer as Manchester United and Chelsea vie for his services.
One of the most sought-after attackers in Europe, Osimhen has drawn attention with his skillful performances, scoring 25 goals for Naples and helping them move 19 points clear at the top of Serie A.
After his stellar season, Napoli expects to receive a barrage of offers for the 24-year-old. To prepare for the interest, Napoli has placed a hefty price tag on the Nigerian, according to Il Mattino.
The Italian team is not under any pressure to part with their prized asset, who has a contract through 2025, as president Aurelio De Laurentiis is not eager to meet with any team that offers even a cent less than the £150 million asking price.
Osimhen would be interested in joining United, who have prioritized acquiring a new striker this summer, but club executives might be turned off by the eye-watering fee Napoli are demanding, the report continues.
The only two teams competing for the Premier League title this season are Arsenal and Manchester City, and Erik ten Hag is anxious for extra firepower to put his squad within striking distance of them.
United is also interested in Harry Kane, but they have previously been warned that he will cost them £100 million this summer because his contract with Tottenham runs out in 2024.
According to The Times, Spurs would also refuse any attempt by United to pay the cash for Kane in installments since they want to keep Kane domestically and try to persuade him to sign a new contract despite the team's dismal season.
He would still be less expensive than Osimhen, though United is also interested in Benjamin Sesko of RB Salzburg. Although Leipzig and the Slovenian star have officially agreed to a transfer, United might yet scuttle the deal.
Osimhen has also been closely associated with Chelsea. The Blues have spent a stunning £600 million on new players this season under new owner Todd Boehly, but they still lack a reliable goalscorer as Joao Felix and Kai Havertz struggle to score consistently.
According to recent reports from the Italian website Calciomercato, the Blues have determined that Osimhen has "the proper profile" for the team, and Boehly was prepared to make an offer of money and Christian Pulisic in exchange.
Osimhen stated this month that he would meet with his agents at the end of the season to talk about his future.
I have no idea what is ahead. I believe I'm headed in the correct direction, Osimhen stated.
I'll meet with my agents at the end of the season to go through everything. I'll be speaking with the club as well.
I have the utmost gratitude for Naples. Together, we will come up with a workable answer, he continued.
He announced his "desire" to test himself in the premier league at the beginning of the month, which placed English teams on high alert.
Many people around the world believe that the Premier League is the best and strongest league, but I currently play in the Italian Serie A, one of the best leagues in the world.
'I'm working incredibly hard to make sure that I one day realize my ambition of playing in the Premier League, but like I said, it's a process and I just want to maintain on this momentum and continue to do well,' he said.
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