‘I will Join But’ – Victor Osimhen issues Napoli demand after making Man Utd transfer stance clear

Victor Osimhen wishes to include a £103.8 million (€120 million) release clause in a new Napoli deal.

Last season, the Nigeria international, 24, scored 31 goals for Napoli, including 26 in the league. This helped the Italian giants win their first Serie A title in 33 years, and also piqued the interest of other prominent European teams, including Manchester United, in signing Osimhen.

Osimhen is thought to be eager to sign a new contract because Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has refused to sell him this summer. However, the striker wants a release clause included in his new contract so that he can fulfill his “dream” of playing in the Premier League.

Osimhen’s current contract expires in two years, and Napoli doesn’t want to risk losing him on the cheap in a year.

Contract talks between Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda and De Laurentiis are progressing, according to Sky in Italy. Nonetheless, the two parties are unable to reach an agreement on the release clause.

This is because Napoli wants his release clause to be much greater, at £173 million (€200 million). That figure effectively nullifies the clause because top clubs will not go near it. After paying Lille about £70 million for his services three years ago, the Serie A winners don’t want to lose Osimhen for anything more than a profit.

If Napoli agrees to a £103.8m release clause and a Premier League club activates it, Napoli will have little choice, despite a stubborn De Laurentiis proclaiming in May after Napoli’s Serie A victory, “I will not sell Victor Osimhen this summer, no way!”

Nonetheless, as he revealed in March, the player’s “dream” is to play in the Premier League. “I think playing in one of the world’s top five leagues is an amazing feeling for me,” the former Wolfsburg striker told Sky Sports.

“While many people around the world regard the Premier League as the best and strongest league, I’m now playing in one of the best leagues in the world, the Italian Serie A.”

“I’m working extremely hard to ensure that I realize my dream of playing in the Premier League someday, but as I said, it’s a process, and all I want to do is maintain this momentum and continue to do well.”

Chelsea had previously been linked with Osimhen, but Manchester United are in desperate need of a striker. Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United in November and was replaced temporarily by Wout Weghorst, but he has since returned to his Victor osimhen interview parent club Burnley.

Erik ten Hag is interested in signing Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, although the Denmark international scored just nine Serie A goals last season and may require some time to develop into one of Europe’s top strikers. Osimhen, on the other hand, is already a prolific superstar.

However, with Atalanta far more ready to part with the Dane and at a far lower cost, that transaction appears to be on the verge of being completed this summer.