Napoli gives Osimhen deadline to sign new contract

Reports from Italy suggest that Napoli has set a deadline for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to commit to a new contract with the club. This move comes after months of negotiations.

Osimhen’s existing contract with Napoli is set to expire in 2025, but the club is keen on securing his services for an extended period, especially with other teams expressing interest in the Super Eagles striker.

The 24-year-old forward played a pivotal role for Napoli during the 2022/23 season, netting an impressive 31 goals in 39 appearances for the Partenopei. This included 26 goals in Serie A, helping the club secure their first Serie A title in 33 years.

With his remarkable performance, it’s no surprise that Osimhen has attracted interest from several top clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, and Al Hilal, all of whom were reportedly ready to offer the striker up to £1 million per week.

However, Napoli’s president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, has consistently expressed his determination to retain Osimhen at the club. Talks between Napoli and the Nigerian striker have been ongoing since the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, but a final agreement has yet to be reached.

According to Calciomercato, both the club and the player have reached an agreement regarding the salary structure for the new contract. However, they have not yet come to a decision on an appropriate release clause for the forward in the proposed deal. This disagreement has delayed the finalization of the contract.

The Italian outlet also claims that Napoli have now given Osimhen until January 2024 to agree to a new contract before taking the deal off the table.

Osimhen has also confirmed his intention to stay at Napoli and has begun the new season with three goals in three games, but will also have thoughts of a move away from the club on his mind as contract talks drag on.