Talks between Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) concerning the potential transfer of Victor Osimhen have reached an impasse, leading to mounting concerns that the deal may ultimately fall through. This development is particularly troubling for both clubs, as significant groundwork has been laid over the past few weeks in pursuit of a successful agreement.
PSG has shown a strong desire to secure the services of the 25-year-old Nigerian striker, especially in light of Kylian Mbappe’s recent departure to Real Madrid on a free transfer. The loss of a star player like Mbappe has left a noticeable gap in PSG’s attacking squad, prompting them to seek out a high-profile replacement such as Osimhen, who had an impressive season in Serie A.
Facilitating the negotiations was Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, who took the initiative to fly to Paris to engage in discussions. His presence added a sense of urgency to the proceedings, as both clubs are eager to finalize any agreements before the transfer window closes.
A crucial call that involved Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis and PSG’s president Nasser Al Khelaifi, along with their respective sporting directors, Giovanni Manna and Luis Campos, took place on Monday afternoon. During this conversation, both sides were hopeful of breaking the deadlock and reaching an agreement that would satisfy all parties involved.
According to reports from reliable sources like Calciomercato.com and Fabrizio Romano, the discussions during this call unfortunately did not result in any progress. PSG made it clear that they had no intention of activating Osimhen’s €130 million release clause, a stipulation that Napoli had expected to be a significant part of any potential transfer deal.
In response to PSG’s position, Napoli proposed a different approach by suggesting the inclusion of Kang-In Lee as part of the overall deal. However, PSG immediately rejected this idea without further discussion, indicating a lack of interest in the proposed player.
Following the rejection of Napoli’s suggestion, PSG then proposed to include Carlos Soler and Nordi Mukiele in the proposed exchange to sweeten the deal. Yet, Napoli dismissed this idea as well, demonstrating that there is a widening gap between the two clubs’ respective positions regarding the transfer.
This growing divide now poses a serious threat to the viability of the potential transfer, leaving Victor Osimhen’s immediate future at Napoli uncertain for the time being. The situation remains delicate, as both clubs navigate the challenges of aligning their interests while also keeping in mind the clock is ticking within the transfer window. With both sides digging in their heels, the outcome of these negotiations will be closely monitored by fans and pundits alike as the scenario continues to unfold.
