New Napoli manager Rudi Garcia has openly admitted the hurdles that lay ahead if they are to find a suitable successor for Nigerian star Victor Osimhen, should he leave during the summer transfer window.
With less than a month until the start of the Serie A season, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has yet to strike a contract extension deal with Osimhen’s agents. When Osimhen returns to training on July 19, it is expected that the issue will be reviewed in person, with Garcia present, in an attempt to encourage the 24-year-old to commit his future to the club.
According to Garcia: “Replacing Osimhen would not be an easy task. His presence provides us with greater certainty and serenity as we aim to defend our title.”
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport, the French coach has already told De Laurentiis that he does not want to trade Osimhen or his attack partner, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, during the summer transfer window.
Given Osimhen’s outstanding performance last season, it’s no wonder that both Napoli fans and the coach are hoping that the Nigeria international will return for the forthcoming season.
Osimhen’s 31-goal contribution (26 goals and five assists) from 32 league games was critical in Napoli winning the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years. In addition, he became the first African to win the famous Capocannoniere title, which is presented to the highest scorer in a season.
In addition, the striker broke a 14-year record by becoming the first player since Zlatan Ibrahimovic to win both the Scudetto and the Capocannoniere in the same season.
Unsurprisingly, Osimhen’s outstanding performances have piqued the curiosity of a number of big European teams, including Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid. It is worth mentioning, however, that the forward’s contract with Napoli continues until 2025.
According to sources, Napoli will expect a compensation of €150-160 million for the Nigeria international’s services and will continue to try to extend his contract. According to La Repubblica, any bid for Osimhen would be considered by the Italian champions only within the next two weeks.
