Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis says it’s ‘NO WAY’ the club will sell Victor Osimhen in the summer due to links with Man United…
- Victor Osimhen would be the subject of great interest this summer
- The Napoli striker has been influential in ending their 33-year Serie A title drought
- Manchester United would be one of the clubs interested in him
Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis has insisted the club will not sell star striker Victor Osimhen this summer amid strong interest from across Europe.
Osimhen, 24, has been one of the club’s most influential players this season as they ended a 33-year Serie A title drought. The Nigerian scored the crucial equalizer at Udinese on Thursday to clinch the title, although his goals and overall performances have long made it inevitable.
The Nigeria international has scored 22 goals in 27 league appearances this season, fueling speculation about his future from a host of top European clubs who are said to be interested in acquiring his services this coming summer.
However, the notoriously difficult to deal with De Laurentiis has issued a warning to those who believe they can sign him, insisting the club would not allow him to leave this summer.
“I won’t sell Victor Osimhen this summer—I won’t!” he told Cinque Minuti.
Victor Osimhen will not be sold this summer, Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis insisted
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De Laurentiis is regarded as one of football’s toughest negotiators and demands extremely high fees for his players
It’s another indication of the struggle some clubs could have this summer trying to break up Napoli’s title-winning side.
Speculation has linked Osimhen and his teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to big money moves this summer, while the likes of Min-jae Kim and Stanislav Lobotka are said to be interested abroad as well.
De Laurentiis, who has owned Napoli since the club went bankrupt in 2004, has built a fierce reputation over the years for his no-nonsense approach to negotiations and the often sky-high prices he charges for the club’s top talent.
It is believed that Kalidou Koulibaly was denied a departure from the club for a long time due to the numbers De Laurentiis put forward to those who expressed interest.
Manchester United are said to be one of those interested in Osimhen, and Erik ten Hag has made it no secret that he wants to add quality to his side this summer.
It is believed that Osimhen would cost more than £100 million, with an asking price of possibly £150 million. His contract runs until 2025, meaning Napoli will have the upper hand in any negotiations.
The club has shown significant interest in Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane in recent weeks amid chaos at the north London club, although Daniel Levy is cut from the same cloth as De Laurentiis as he is a difficult person to negotiate with.
However, Jose Peseiro, Osimhen’s Nigerian coach, believes the club has a tall order in retaining him.
“Everyone wants to buy one like that, it won’t be easy for Napoli to keep it in the summer,” Peseiro told Tuttomercatoweb.
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If the Azzurri are rightly asking millions for his price tag, I am convinced that several clubs will be willing to meet their high standards. This Osimhen would be a starter in any team in the world.”
Meanwhile, De Laurentiis will aim to put an end to speculation over manager Luciano Spalletti’s future.
“He’s a legend I’ve been looking for for at least a decade,” he said. “I finally brought him to Naples after the Covid crisis and I hope to open a cycle with him because he is a great leader.
“I took advantage of the contract extension clause, now it’s up to him to say the word… Luciano declared that he fell in love [with Naples]here he has become a hero and rightly enjoys it.’