More details are beginning to emerge of how Napoli frustrated Victor Osimhen’s attempts to leave the club this summer.
Osimhen was the centre of attention last year after he helped the Serie A club end a 33-year wait for the title.
However, despite interest from Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea and Saudi Arabia, the 25-year-old ended up staying in Italy.
But Osimhen agreed fresh terms at Napoli, with a pay rise and €120 million release clause.
His departure was widely expected to happen this year, but it ended up not being as straightforward.
According to Jacobs Ben of GiveMeSport, Napoli insisted on the €120m+ release clause for much of the summer.
And even though the player agreed terms with Paris Saint-Germain, the former Italian champions asked for over €100m. This led to the collapse of the deal.
Al-Ahli also agreed terms with Osimhen and an €80m package with Napoli, only for the price to go up after the Serie A side learnt of the Ivan Toney transfer fee.
The case of Chelsea was rather protracted, as the Blues offered both a loan and later a loan with obligation but couldn’t agree terms with Osimhen.
Osimhen has now agreed to join Galatasaray on a straight loan with a January break clause.
It is believed Napoli still plan to sell him in 2025 but will cut his release clause to €75 million.
