Victor Osimhen: Conte’s latest remarks offer encouragement to Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG

Antonio Conte has admitted that his hands could be tied in retaining Victor Osimhen at the club due to “previous agreements.” 

Osimhen’s future at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is uncertain, with the forward keen to depart Naples this summer after four years at the club. 

However, potentially interested clubs have hitherto been reluctant to match the reported €120 million release clause included in the new deal signed in December 2022. 

New reports coming out of Italy this week suggest that the Partenopei would consider accepting a transfer fee lower than the striker’s clause, with €100 million (£around 85 million) rumoured to be the adjusted asking price for the club to grant the Nigeria international his wish and aid the club’s rebuilding. 

Speaking at his unveiling, Conte admitted that keeping “top player” Osimhen may be out of his hands. 

“As far as Osimhen is concerned, just as I knew very well about the situation of Kvara, Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, on whom I had an absolute veto, I know very well about the Osimhen situation,” said Napoli’s new boss about the Nigerian. 

“I know that there are agreements with the club, it’s a totally different situation, which I’ll witness. Then if you ask me about the player, he’s a top player, but I can’t get into any discussions about Osimhen because these are previous agreements.”

It remains to be seen if the altered asking price quoted in the Italian media is met as the three clubs linked with the frontman have looked at other targets. 

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly not considering another centre-forward despite Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid, Arsenal have been rumoured to be keen on Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting) and Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna) after Benjamin Sesko signed a new deal to stay at RB Leipzig and Chelsea have been linked with Samuel Omorodion, Jhon Duran, Jonathan David and recently Alexander Isak.