A domino of centre-forward transfers could open up Victor Osimhen’s expected exit from Napoli this summer.
Osimhen has expressed a desire to leave Napoli this summer and head coach Antonio Conte has confirmed the club have made a ‘pact’ with the forward to permit a transfer.
The 25-year-old has a release clause of around €130m (£109m) in his contract with the Serie A side but no club has yet matched that figure. Arsenal and Chelsea are understood to be reluctant to pay that fee, despite interest in the player and Osimhen’s preference for a move to the Premier League.
Paris Saint-Germain appear the frontrunners to sign the Nigeria international, as the French champions seek a replacement for Kylian Mbappe. However, the Parisians are looking to offload players before pursuing a deal.
Osimhen’s future could open up as part of a domino effect of transfer deals involving centre-forwards, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. AC Milan’s renewed interest in Alvaro Morata could be key to developments, with the Rossoneri keen on the Spanish striker after missing out on Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee.
Atletico Madrid’s proposed sale of Morata would see the Spanish side step up their efforts to sign Randal Kolo Muani from PSG, therefore freeing funds and room for Luis Enrique’s team to secure a deal for Osimhen. Kolo Muani signed for PSG from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer but scored just six Ligue 1 goals during an underwhelming campaign.
Napoli’s sale of Osimhen, should the pieces fall into place, could lead to a move to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku. Antonio Conte is keen to reunite with the Belgian, after a successful spell together at Inter Milan.
