Osimhen’s negotiation with Napoli reaches advanced stage

Indications have shown that the negotiation between Napoli and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has reached an advanced stage as both parties in the next few days, are hoping to complete the transfer from Lille.

It was reported that the French Ligue 1 team had agreed on a transfer fee with the Pertonopei, what was left was for the Naples club to convince the Lille striker to put pen to paper on a long term deal.

Osimhen’s agent, Osita Okolo,  had said that the forward was impressed with the club’s project after touring part of the city and meeting with the coach, Genarro Gatusso, and the owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis last week.

Okolo also said that the 21-year-old, who won the African player of the year award in his debut season in the French league, will be making his decision in the next few hours.

Napoli is likely to sell Arkadiusz Milik, who has been linked with a summer move to either Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, among others.

He has been offered a five-year contract with an annual salary of €2.5m (plus bonus), but all that’s left for him is to make a decision. Everything lies with him, according to his representative.

Speaking with Tuttomercatoweb.com, Okolo revealed that the young striker would make his decision in the next few hours, after having a good impression of the city and the club’s hierarchy. He added that the Nigerian felt he would be an important player for Napol.

Osimhen, in his debut season with Lille, scored 18 goals and provided six assists in 38 games across all competitions. Apart from winning the African player award, he also emerged as the club’s player of the year.

Journalist Nicolò Schira claimed that De Laurentiis remains confident that the Partenopei will get the young lad’s signature very soon.

Schira also said that both clubs are working on the final details to complete the move as soon as possible, while some had claimed that Osimhen is being forced to join Napoli against his will.

Meanwhile, the latest report says the Nigerian has put the concerns behind him and agreed to move to the club.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed