NAPOLI have insisted that they are in negotiations with Victor Osimhen over a new deal even as there is a claim in Italy that the Super Eagles striker has agreed to join Liverpool.
Nigeria international Osimhen joined Napoli in 2020 and was the Serie A top scorer last season with 26 goals as the club won their first Scudetto in 33 years.
However, negotiations for an extension of his contract, which expires in 2025, have dragged on for months and the relationship between player and club is strained.
After reports that Osimhen ended the negotiations and is resolved to leave the club, Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis was rumoured to have criticised the 24-year-old’s attitude.
Napoli issued a statement today to clear the air.
“President de Laurentiis never shared any negative comment about Victor. He just said that after verbally agreeing on the plan to sign a new deal, Osimhen changed his mind,” the club stated.
“We hope it’s just a stand-by moment to think about it. In the next weeks we will discuss with his agent Calenda about the future.
“Reports of a tense situation between Napoli and Osimhen are 100% wide of the mark.”
Meanwhile, Italian journalist Valter De Maggio has told Televomero that Liverpool are the reason behind Osimhen’s about turn.
De Maggio claims both the Nigeria international and his agent, Roberto Calenda, have decided against signing an extension at Napoli because of Liverpool’s interest.
He added that Liverpool had reached agreement with Osimhen, with Napoli left to negotiate with the English club.
“The parties had reached an agreement for the renewal, but then Calenda and Osimhen went back on their word. What happened? There was the inclusion of another club, from the Premier League. I’m talking about Liverpool,” he said.
“There would be frequent contacts, but I just learned something else: there would be agreements already reached. Let me clarify: the agreements would be between the Reds and the player, therefore they would not involve Napoli. I hope Laurentiis will be able to keep Victor Osimhen at least until June, but we can’t be sure.”
The relationship between Napoli and Osimhen, who has already scored six goals this season, further deteriorated recently when the club’s official TikTok account trolled the striker for missing a penalty.
