After protracted negotiations between Napoli and the agent of Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen, reports have emerged that a deal has been agreed upon with the striker now set to sign a new contract with the Serie A champions.
Recently, Napoli’s head coach, Rudi Garcia, confirmed that the Nigerian would extend his stay in Naples, ending the speculation surrounding the striker’s future.
“I want Osimhen to be happy. The club and the player have executed commendable efforts. He’s an essential driving force for us; we rely on his goal-scoring capabilities,” Garcia said.
“Once the agreement is official, he’ll be able to focus solely on his on-field contributions, a prospect that I find preferable.”
Details published by Italian publication, Football-Italia, on Saturday, revealed that the Nigerian has been offered a new three years contract extension that includes a release clause at €150m and a salary at €10m (N8.4bn) per season.
This new deal is expected to run to June 2027 and will see his wages sky-rocket to €10m per season from his current €5.5m including bonuses and a portion of his image rights.
Football-Italia added that the release clause is set to be at two different levels, one for clubs outside of Italy and one specifically for the Saudi Pro League, reaching €150m.
Osimhen recently helped Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years and also became the first African to win the Capocannoniere (Serie A Top Scorer Award).
The striker also broke a 14-year jinx of being the first player since Zlatan Ibrahimovic to win the Scudetto and the Capocannoniere same season.
His impressive performance received interest from numerous clubs this summer, including Manchester United, PSG, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and several Saudi Pro League sides like Al-Hilal.
While various prominent European clubs faltered in their pursuit, the Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal seemed poised for success.
Al-Hilal made not one but two bids for Osimhen and offered an alluring salary package that would have rendered him the highest-earning African footballer in history.
However, President Aurelio De Laurentiis and Osimhen were always focused on continuing their rapport together at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The 24-year-old forward was again on target during Napoli’s 2-0 victory against Apollon Limassol in a recent friendly match on Friday.
