Victor Osimhen could be unveiled as a Napoli player by Thursday, 16 July after Napoli and Lille reached a firm agreement on a transfer for the player in a deal valued at 60m euros.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio, Osimhen has said “yes” to the move and Napoli will pay 50m euros upfront and 10m euros in add-ons with the Nigerian ready to append his signature to a deal until 2025.
However, the respected journalist say an agreement is yet to be reached with Napoli on a suitable commission for Osimhen’s new agents with that being the only sticking point in the deal.
A meeting between Napoli and Osimhen last month in Naples to discuss personal terms ended without any agreements and the player returned to France.
Amid reports that the Nigerian wasn’t keen on the move and would prefer a move to England where Premier League champions Liverpool are noted admirers, Napoli reportedly issued the striker a ten-day ultimatum to decide on making the move to Italy.
It now appears that the 21-year-old has agreed to the move and has appointed new representatives to make the deal happen.
According to di Marzio, another meeting between Napoli and Osimhen’s new agent held recently in Sardinia “away from prying eyes” and “everyone’s will is to close [the transfer] if possible by Thursday” provided that the “last obstacle represented by the commission of the new agent” is resolved.
Osimhen is one of the most sought after strikers in Europe following an exceptional debut season for Lille.
The 21-year-old who joined the Great Danes from Sporting Charleroi last summer scored 13 goals in Ligue 1 and added five more in Cup competitions to finish as Les Dogues’ top scorer with 18 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions. He also weighed in with six assists.
He was recognised as Lille’s standout performer in the just concluded season and was voted the club’s Player of the Season.
Osimhen’s outstanding performances also saw him awarded the Marc Vivien Foe award for the best African player in the French topflight – becoming the youngest winner of the award.
The striker who dedicated his award to his father who passed away recently has been linked with a host of clubs including Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Napoli.
But it appears Gennaro Gattuso is desperate to land the goal machine and has moved heaven and earth to ensure Napoli beat the competition to secure the signature of the prized asset.
If the move to Italy materialises, it would mark a third club move in as many years for the peripatetic Osimhen following stints at Sporting Charleroi and Lille in the last two seasons.
