Napoli confirm Victor Osimhen asked to leave

Victor Osimhen has formally requested to leave Napoli, offering Chelsea a boost in their pursuit of the prolific striker.

The 25-year-old Nigerian international, who played a vital role in Napoli’s Serie A title win in 2022/23 seasons, has informed the club of his desire to move on.

Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, confirmed Osimhen’s intentions, stating, “Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club. He wants to go.

“The situation is clear; there were already chances for his exit last summer… We will see in the next 20 days.”

Osimhen’s departure would mark the end of a successful spell in Naples, where he has scored 76 goals and provided 18 assists in 133 appearances since joining from Lille in 2020.

His performances have attracted significant interest, with Chelsea among clubs closely monitoring his situation.

Chelsea, who are keen to bolster their attacking options after an underwhelming season, see Osimhen as a top target.

Despite nearing a deal for Atlético Madrid’s Samu Omorodion, the Blues remain eager to sign Osimhen, according to SunSport.

If Chelsea succeed in signing Osimhen, it could trigger a swap deal, with Napoli expressing interest in Romelu Lukaku as a potential replacement for the Nigerian forward.