Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed that the membership are within the closing levels of agreeing to a brand new contract with striker Victor Osimhen.

The Nigerian ahead, who helped hearth the membership to their first Serie A title in 33 years final season, has been strongly linked with a mammoth switch away.

Rumoured to be Chelsea’s prime hanging goal, the prolific African seems destined to play within the Premier League, and though there have been some studies a transfer might materialise in January, in keeping with CaughtOffside columnist Ben Jacobs, a summer time exit is extra doubtless.

“Napoli by no means eliminated their provide after Osimhen had second ideas,” Jacobs posted on X.

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“State of affairs stays in Osimhen’s arms & any extension will nonetheless permit for a 2024 exit.”

And confirming the potential extension’s present standing, De Laurentiis, who spoke not too long ago in regards to the saga, stated: “We’re on the signing stage that was pending because the summer time.”

A contract extension would function a blow to Chelsea, who would have been hoping to maintain the striker’s switch charge as little as doable.

Nonetheless, no matter when Osimhen decides is the correct time to go away Napoli, US billionaire proprietor Todd Boehly can be anticipated to cough up what may very well be one other British file charge.

Throughout his three years in Naples, Osimhen, who signed from Lille in 2020, has scored 65 targets in 113 video games in all competitions.