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Chelsea, Manchester United-linked Victor Osimhen refuses to rule out Napoli exit

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 21 February 2023

Chelsea, Man United-linked Osimhen refuses to rule out Napoli exit

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen refuses to rule out a potential exit from the club amid interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has refused to rule out a potential exit from the club amid interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.

The 24-year-old has been one of the standout performers in helping the Parthenopeans edge towards their first Serie A title for 33 years, with Luciano Spalletti's men currently sitting 15 points clear at the top of the table.

Osimhen, who scored his most recent goal in the 2-0 win at Sassuolo last Friday, is currently leading the race for the Serie A Golden Boot after netting 18 times in 19 league appearances so far this season, five more than his nearest challenger Lautaro Martinez.

The Nigeria international has notched up a total of 47 goals and 13 assists in 85 appearances for Napoli since joining the club from Lille in the summer of 2020.

Osimhen's prolific form in front of goal this season has understandably caught the attention of a number of top European clubs, with both Chelsea and Man United said to be interested in his services.

Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates scoring their first goal with Victor Osimhen on February 17, 2023 © Reuters

Chelsea are understood to have made Osimhen their top attacking target ahead of thee 2023-24 campaign and are prepared to pay 'whatever it takes' to win the race for his signature.

Man United, meanwhile, are believed to be contemplating a big-money summer move for Osimhen as they continue to search for a permanent replacement to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with an interest in the striker.

Osimhen is under contract at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium until June 2025, and Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis recently insisted that the striker is not for sale.

"I can tell you that Osimhen is not for sale. Our players are in demand, but I don't have to sell anyone. We don't have any debts," De Laurentiis told Bild, as quoted by journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Victor Osimhen in action for Napoli on November 1, 2022 © Reuters

However, Napoli's No.9 has refused to rule out a potential exit in the near future, admitting that he is aware that a number of "top clubs" are "watching" his performances.

Speaking to ESPN, Osimhen said: "When you are doing so well, top clubs around the world are watching, mostly in the top-five leagues. And to be able to attract interest from these top clubs shows that I am doing great and it gives me the motivation to do even more for myself and my team.

"But I am focused on Napoli right now and they have the final say. I just want to help my team to win matches and win trophies. At the end of the season, we will see what is going to happen, but that is not up to me. It is for the club to decide."

Osimhen, who is believed to be valued by Napoli in excess of £100m, is expected to start for Spalletti's side when they face Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.