BIG DEAL: Napoli offer Osimhen €6.5m annual salary

Italian champions, Napoli, have offered Victor Osimhen a new two-year contract extension with a salary worth N6.5bn — €6.5m plus €1m in bonuses.

Osimhen, who has two years left on his contract at Napoli, had demanded a salary of €7m annually to extend his current deal with the Italian champions, who are keen to tie him down to a new deal amidst interests from some of Europe’s top clubs.

The new proposed deal, it was gathered, will include a release clause worth £170m for the Nigerian striker.

The 24-year-old steered the Partenopei to their first title in 33 years scoring 26 goals in 32 games.
“Napoli is in advanced talks to extend his (Osimhen) contract until 2027 with an increase in salary to €6.5m plus €1m as bonuses,” Skysports revealed on Monday.

Rudi Garcia, Napoli’s new manager, confirmed that Osimhen would remain at the club ahead of the new season.

“Of course, I have spoken to Osimhen who wants to stay here to make another great season with Napoli,” Garcia said.

“I can assure you that he (OsImhen) wants to stay, he is happy to be with us and still wants to do great things.”

Osimhen scored 26 goals plus five assists in 32 league appearances for Napoli, and was crucial to the Partenopei winning the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years last season.

He also became the first African to claim the prestigious Capocannoniere award, given to the top scorer in Serie A.

Meanwhile, Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, debunked reports that claimed his client wouldn’t sign a new contract.

Calenda, took to Twitter on Monday to call out a report from Naples-based newspaper Il Mattino as fake news.

“I read in Il Mattino that ‘Calenda has no intention of renewing in the summer and wants to explore all avenues in the market first. Fake news.’”

Osimhen is expected to return to pre-season training on Wednesday.