De Laurentiis not rushing Osimhen contract renewal

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By: Peter Akinbo.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is not in a hurry to get Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to renew his contract in Naples, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Osimhen’s comments after Napoli’s 3-1 win at Frosinone on Serie A’s opening weekend suggested that a contract extension was not close to being signed.

The striker, who opened his account for the new season by scoring two of his side’s three goals, said, “The president is the boss. We are still negotiating, we’ll see at the end of the transfer window.

“For now, I am a Napoli player, which is the most important thing. I will give my heart and soul to this team as I’ve always done in the past. We’ll see what happens,” Osimhen said.

According to Italian publication, Corriere del Mezzogiorno, De Laurentii is in no hurry and says he is calm about the issue.

An offer of more than €10m per season is ready for the Nigerian striker, with a release clause of around €150m. Osimhen’s current contract will expire in 2025, which explains why the Italian club president is confident he can keep his man.

The Super Eagles forward was one of the best players in Europe’s top five Leagues last season.

With the brace against Serie B champions Frosinone over the weekend, it means Osimhen has scored a total number of 25 goals in 29 games for club and country in 2023.

Reacting to his figures in 2023, the UEFA Champions League hailed Osimhen by posting his statistics, with clapping emojis, on their verified Twitter handle on Monday evening, stating, “A big 2023 so far for club and country, Victor Osimhen.”