Photo by Icon Sport There seems to finally be some movement with regard to the transfer of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) ramping up their interest in the 26-year-old.
Osimhen, who has an agreement with Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis to leave the club this summer, has been the subject of significant interest in the window so far. However, his contractual release clause has proven to be a sticking point, and the Nigeria international dutifully reported to preseason training with il Partenopei last week.
Victor Osimhen- Photo by Icon Sport With Napoli’s stance reportedly softening, it now appears PSG are pushing forward in their quest to recruit the 2022/23 Serie A capocannoniere.
The 2 barriers between Victor Osimhen and Paris Saint-Germain
Transfer market influencer and expert Fabrizio Romano, in an update via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, briefed that the reigning French champions are in talks with Victor Osimhen, with a view to agreeing personal terms.
PSG have a high view of the former Lille striker, but Romano’s update revealed a different wrinkle in their pursuit: they will only move for Osimhen if they can offload a centre-forward.
🚨🔴🔵 Paris Saint-Germain are advancing in talks with Victor Osimhen’s camp as their interest is now getting concrete.
Osimhen, keen on joining PSG and open to the move if they can agree on deal/fee with Napoli.
He’d be very high on PSG list, if one centre striker left. pic.twitter.com/3uUgzaSkUf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2024 It had been thought that the departure of Kylian Mbappe would all but guarantee a bid for Osimhen. However, this update suggests that the Nigeria international’s future is dependent on one of PSG’s incumbent centre-forwards – Randal Kolo-Muani and Goncalo Ramos – leaving Parc des Princes this summer.
PSG manager Luis Enrique is reportedly dissatisfied with the outputs of Kolo-Muani and Ramos, who between them only managed 17 goals in all competitions for the club in the 2023/24 campaign. Both players were parts of the France and Portugal squads respectively to Euro 2024, but managed a cumulative two starts and one goal through the tournament.
It remains to be seen whether either player can drum up sufficient interest in the transfer market this summer. In the meantime, L’Equipe are reporting that Osimhen, whose professionalism was only recently praised by Napoli manager Antonio Conte, may be willing to stop training in a bid to force the club to accept a modest bid from PSG.
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