Victor Osimhen still wants to join Paris Saint-Germain despite a breakdown in talks between Napoli and the French side.
Osimhen looked set to sign for PSG as the club sought a replacement for Kylian Mbappe, though negotiations stalled over a potential fee. Napoli have reportedly lowered their initial asking price to around £86m but PSG are unable to match that fee at present.
The Parisians have spent €120m this summer on the signings of Joao Neves, Willian Pacho and Matvey Safonov and require the sale of Randal Kolo Muani or Goncalo Ramos to free funds for the Osimhen deal.
According to Sky Germany, a move to Paris remains the preference for Osimhen despite interest from the Premier League. Chelsea have held talks with Napoli to discuss a potential swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku, while Arsenal made a ‘loose approach’ earlier in the transfer window.
Chelsea’s negotiations involved a potential loan move for Osimhen, though the forward is reluctant to leave Napoli without a mandatory permanent clause. The forward’s wage demands have also proven problematic.
The Nigeria international has given the ‘green light’ to PSG, however, and harbours hopes that a deal can be struck. The move would represent a return to France for Osimhen, who joined Napoli from Lille in 2020.
Paris Saint-Germain can also offer Osimhen Champions League football in 2024/25, with Chelsea to compete in the Europa League after a sixth-place finish last season under former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Osimhen has scored 77 goals in 136 appearances for the Italian side and won the Capocannoniere award as Serie A’s top scorer as Napoli won the Scudetto in 2022/23.
He was named as the 2023 African Footballer of the Year following his performances in the club’s title-winning campaign, becoming the first Nigerian to win the award since Kanu in 1999.
