Lille Metropole of France striker, Victor Osimhen is not thinking of pulling out of a protracted transfer agreement with SSC Napoli of Italy, if the words of his French Ligue 1 club’s president are anything to go by, megasportsarena.com reports.
In spite a lot of controversy and suspense continuing over the much-expected official and formal announcement of Osimhen’s move to Naples, which has left many observers doubting that the deal would eventually come true, Lille’s president, Gerard Lopez insists the youngster will join the Italian Serie A club.
The 21-year-old Osimhen has been one of the most talked-about players in the transfer market, with the Partenopei looking to acquire his services in a deal in the region of €60m to €80m, as they look to improve under the Naples-based club’s coach, Gennaro Gattuso.
It was recently reported that Osimhen had changed his agent because of the cordial relationship between Lopez and Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, and did not want anything standing in the way of a move to San Paolo Stadium.
While awaiting a much-expected positive outcome to the deal, Osimhen is frolicking on holiday in the beautiful city of Paris along with his Eagles’ pal, Samuel Chukwueze, as they go shopping, seeing the sights and generally hanging out after another tough season at their respective clubs; while Napoli are expected to formally announce his big-money transfer from Lille this week.
Although the long-drawn stalemate over the transfer saga has also created room for speculation that the Chile 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup gold medalist could be holding out for a move to a top club in the English Premier League, Lopez went on to categorically announce that Osimhen will join Napoli.
That verdict has ostensibly informed Lille’s decision to quickly move for Joe Aribo’s teammate at Glasgow Rangers of Scotland, reports out of France indicate that The Gers’ Colombian striker, Alfredo Morelos has agreed personal terms with Lille.
A report by Sky Sports disclosed that Morelos is likely to leave Rangers, as both clubs are now working on an agreeable fee for his transfer from Glasgow to Lille, who are said to be seeking a direct replacement for Osimhen.
While the same report adds that Osimhen is still being linked with a move to England and that it is unclear what fee Rangers are demanding for Morelos, who is unofficially valued at £19.7m in the transfer window, Lopez appears so sure of deals either way for both strikers.
Osimhen joined VfL Wolfsburg of Germany for four million Euro after top-scoring at Chile 2015 but, after he failed to break through in four years, they first loaned him to Sporting Charleroi of Belgium last season then sold him for 3.5m Euros, only for the Belgian side to mace a huge profit in a 14m Euro transfer to Lille few weeks later, with a sell-on clause of 15% bonus in the deal.
A report by allnigeriasoccer.com further disclosed that Italian transfer market expert, Gianluca Di Marzio confirmed on Tuesday that Napoli had reached an agreement with Lille for the signing of Osimhen who will now, excluding performance-related adds-on, cost Napoli 50 million euro and will pocket a guaranteed 20 million euro after tax over the duration of his contract.
It means the Nigerian transfer record has fallen for fourth time in the last three and a half years, starting when Odion Jude Ighalo was sold by Watford of England for 23m euros in January 2017, then Kelechi Iheanacho cost Leicester City around 27.5m euro six months later, then Alex Iwobi’s record-breaking move from Arsenal to Everton for 38m euro last summer and Lopez has now declared that the deal for Osimhen is now sealed with Napoli.
The Lille mogul went on to point out that went on to admit that Osimhen’s departure will force a shakeup in the team’s attack and, while the club is not known to buy established players, the Spanish businessman believes their strong scouting network will come in handy.
Lopez stressed that, despite several weeks of negotiations, the youngster is set to move to Naples, and the Lille top calmly told L’Equipe: “Osimhen has made his choice, it’s Napoli. His departure in itself [is no disaster]. But for the reconstruction of the attack line.
“I want to keep good relations with these clubs too. So, I manage their expectations. It is a transfer which is not linear. The market in France opened [until August 15]. In Italy, the transfer window opens in September. So, you need a multitude of contracts to cover all eventualities.”
A post that later appeared on Monday via SSC NapSoccer ballli News @SSCNapoliNews_ read: “Victor Osimhen to Napoli, confirmed and here we go! Tomorrow the deal will be completed for €50M + add ons to Lille. Osimhen is going to sign until June 2025 as new Napoli player. ✍🏻Blue circle #transfers #Napoli (@FabrizioRomano).”
