Liverpool and Chelsea are closely monitoring the contractual situation of Victor Osimhen, as talks between the player and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis are reportedly proving to be challenging. Osimhen’s current contract is set to expire in 2025, and he has been strongly linked with a transfer following his outstanding performance that helped Napoli secure their first Serie A title since 1990 last season, with 26 goals in 32 league appearances.
Liverpool recently dispatched scouts to observe Osimhen during the international break, while Chelsea has also expressed interest in acquiring the 24-year-old. According to a report from Calcio Mercato, negotiations for a new contract with Napoli have hit an impasse. Furthermore, there is a disagreement concerning the inclusion of a release clause. De Laurentiis wants to set it at €200 million (£174 million), whereas Osimhen prefers a more affordable fee. Both Liverpool and Chelsea are said to be in a state of readiness.
Reports suggest that Liverpool has taken proactive measures by establishing direct contact with the player, while Chelsea first exhibited interest in the Nigerian international last summer. De Laurentiis recently commented on the ongoing negotiations with Osimhen, acknowledging the possibility of selling the striker if he does not commit to a new contract.
“I have always remained calm when it comes to Osimhen, but it takes two to make a deal,” he stated. “I am still the same, but if his attitude has changed, there is not much I can do about it. If things change after an initial agreement, it’s disappointing, but we must move on. We have a good relationship with him, and the existing contract runs until 2025, so there’s time. Let’s not forget that I sold [Kalidou] Koulibaly [to Chelsea] at the last minute.”
Nonetheless, Napoli’s sporting director, Mauro Meluso, has asserted that the club will not part ways with their top players during the January transfer window. This implies that Liverpool and Chelsea may need to exercise patience and wait until the end of the season for a potential move to sign Osimhen.
“Absolutely not, the squad is quite large and provides us with peace of mind,” Meluso remarked when asked about the possibility of players departing in January. “There’s room for improvement, and these are discussions we’ll have later. We’ll certainly convene to determine how and whether to take action.