In Italy, Victor Osimhen and Napoli are an estranged couple who wish to part ways, but it has been a rather “slow divorce”.
It was widely believed that Osimhen will be quickly gone from Napoli once the summer transfer window opened.
Suitors with deep pockets will rush out of the blocks to sign a proven goal scorer, who at 25 is at the height of his powers.
This did not happen.
Instead, big spenders PSG want Napoli to lower the striker’s release clause of 130 Million Euros, while Chelsea would rather sign him on loan with option for a permanent transfer thereafter.
Both Napoli and the player do not favour a loan to Chelsea – it will devalue Osimhen on the transfer market, while the player would most likely be forced to take a huge pay cut.
He is the highest earner in Italy on a salary of over 10 Million Euros-a-year and PSG have reportedly even agreed an annual salary of 14 Million Euros with him before talks cooled.
This weekend, this “slow divorce” took another turn when Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna said: “The situation is clear: Victor wants to leave.
“Last season there was already a similar situation. He is a strong player, but we are calm because we already have players in our squad, who can replace him, such as Raspadori.”
Top Transfer Experts have posited Osimhen could join Chelsea if he agreed a loan deal.
Some also predicted that PSG will make a late go for the striker in the hope that Napoli will come down significantly on the release clause all to finally get rid of an unhappy star.
If both Chelsea and PSG do not help in finalising this divorce, Osimhen would have to reconsider the lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia then.
They can meet the Napoli release clause as well as pay him more than four times what he will earn playing in Europe.
What of his wish to continue to play top-flight football in Europe particularly the UEFA Champions League?
That could be put on hold for a few years in the oil-rich kingdom.
