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By Ebenezer Bajela and Anthony Nlebem.
The official Napoli radio station says club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is negotiating a new contract with Victor Osimhen’s agents.
Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli has a special deal with the club that gives them direct access and often provides information that is released in conjunction with the directors.
On Monday evening, it reported that De Laurentiis was having direct negotiations with Osimhen’s agents over a new contract after they won their first Serie A title in 33 years last Thursday.
The 24-year-old has a price-tag of well over €100m and is on track to be crowned Capocannoniere with 23 goals in 28 Serie A appearances so far this season.
He was signed for €75m plus add-ons from French side Lille in September 2020 and is under contract until June 2025.
The Nigeria international has been linked with the world’s biggest clubs, including Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea following his blistering form since he joined the Italians three years ago.
De Laurentiis has repeatedly assured fans that he has no intention of selling Osimhen this summer and it’s been widely reported that if Napoli were to sacrifice one of their star names, it would most likely be South Korean defender Kim Min-jae, as he has a release clause in his contract for €45m that is valid from July 2024.
Meanwhile, Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti says the Nigerian striker has a great personality.
The Super Eagles forward on Sunday became the highest scoring African in Serie A history after netting Napoli’s winner in their 1-0 win over Fiorentina at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
In their first game after clinching the title, Osimhen saw one penalty saved before scoring another as Napoli continued their Scudetto celebrations. The goal helped the Nigerian leapfrog George Weah to become the highest scoring African in Serie A history.
Spalletti commended Osimhen for his resilient personality despite his young age.
“Osimhen has shown that he has a great personality; let’s not forget that he is young and can suffer from mood swings,” Spalletti said, as per Tutto Napoli.
“He had the courage to go and collect the second penalty. Yes, it was said in the dressing room because he has to win the top scorer. Apart from that, he also knows how to take penalties.”
Osimhen currently leads the chart for the Serie A Golden Boot award with 23 goals, four more than Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, who occupies the second position.
Salernitana’s forward Boulaye Dia has 15 goals, followed by Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Spezia’s M’Bala Nzola, both on 13 goals.