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Tag: Napoli FC

  • Another Nigerian striker identified as Osimhen’s replacement at Napoli

    Another Nigerian striker identified as Osimhen’s replacement at Napoli

    Another Nigerian striker, Joshua Zirkzee has been indentified as Victor Osimhen’s replacement at Italian clubside,  Napoli FC.

    Zirkzee who was born of Nigerian mother and Dutch father and currently plays for Bayern Munich of Germany  said that he could consider playing for the Super Eagles of Nigeria soon.

    This was made known by former AS Roma player, Davide Bombardini on Friday.

    It would be recalled  that Osimhen,  played a crucial role in Napoli’s Scudetto victory last season, becoming the first African to win the Capocannoniere with 26 goals.

    Although, the striker has been unable to match last season’s form at Napoli, his inability to do so has been attributed to injuries.

    Despite Osimhen’s impact, his contract’s impending expiration and desire to play in the Premier League have sparked rumors of a potential departure.

    This has prompted speculation about Napoli’s search for a suitable replacement, especially with doubts lingering over Giovanni Simeone’s suitability.

    Bombardini, with his wealth of experience in Italian football, has highlighted Bologna’s Zirkzee as a promising candidate.

    He suggested that the 25-year-old Dutch attacker could fill the void left by Osimhen’s potential exit, considering his talent and growth potential.

    “Zirkzee is a player of significant value, and the upcoming summer transfer window will determine his market worth,” Bombardini told Napoli Magazine.

    “I believe he has the capability to step into Osimhen’s shoes. He is a player with a bright future, and an investment in him could yield substantial growth.”

  • Serie A: Napoli to sue doll store on behalf of Osimhen

    Serie A: Napoli to sue doll store on behalf of Osimhen

    Serie A champions Napoli have taken steps to sue an Italian toy store over a doll and a video made about Victor Osimhen last season.

    The Partenopei claimed the unlicensed doll bears an uncanny resemblance with Victor Osimhen.

    Recall that the doll video which shares many similarities with Osimhen went viral on social media last season with many labelling it racism.

    The doll’s features include a protective mask with the 9 on it, a light blue jersey and a blond tuft of curly hair.

    Napoli released a statement on Thursday evening confirming that the doll is not in any way authorised by the club or Osimhen and is therefore breaching his image rights.

    They are planning to take the company to court, but it is yet another contentious situation around Osimhen that Napoli would happily have avoided at this time when his contract extension is in doubt and his rapport with the club remains frosty over their TikTok videos.

  • Serie A: Again, Osimhen fires blank, misses penalty as Napoli, Bologna shares spoils

    Serie A: Again, Osimhen fires blank, misses penalty as Napoli, Bologna shares spoils

    Victor Osimhen’s goal drought extended to four straight games after the lanky attacker missed a penalty and condemned the Serie A champions to a 0-0 draw at Bologna on Sunday.

    Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s deflected cross had struck the arm of substitute Riccardo Calafiori but the resultant penaty was blasted up the sky by Osimhen in the 72nd minute of the encounter.

    Osimhen was also  unlucky in the first half when his strike hit the inside of the far post, with the aid of a Lukasz Skorupski fingertip.

    After a run of two wins, a defeat and two draws, the champions are languishing in seventh place in the standings and trail leaders Inter Milan by seven points. Bologna are 11th with six points.

    Napoli manager Rudi Garcia tried to remain positive despite the result.

    “The negative element is the result, but the performance was good, especially in the first half,” he told newsmen.

    “We had some tactics that worked but are not entirely happy because there is no victory.”

    The last time he scored for the Serie A champions was in the 2-0 home win against Sassuolo on August 27.

     

  • Serie A: Osimhen set to extend his contract at Napoli

    Serie A: Osimhen set to extend his contract at Napoli

    Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen has agreed a new contract with Serie A champions Napoli.

    Osimhen will be extending his contract with Napoli till 2025.

    Osimhen’s wages have improved to €10m per season, including bonuses and a portion of his image rights.

    Two release clauses will also be inserted in the contract, one for clubs in Europe and the other for the Saudi Pro League.

    Napoli recently turned down two lucrative offers from Saudi club, Al Hilal for the forward.

    Osimhen helped the Partenopei win their first Scudetto in over 30 years last season.

    The 24-year-old was the top scorer with 26 goals from 32 games, becoming the first Nigerian to achieve the feat.

    Osimhen could be the first Nigerian to be crowned Africa player of the year in a long while.

  • Napoli reject Al-Hilal’s mouth-watering €130m offer for Osimhen

    Napoli reject Al-Hilal’s mouth-watering €130m offer for Osimhen

    Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has rejected a lucrative €130m bid from Al-Hilal for Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen,

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Saudi pro league side Al Hilal tabled a whooping €130m for the prolific striker.

    Recall that Napoli already rejected offers from Paris Saint Germain and are tempting the striker with an improved contract.

    Osimhen, who played a crucial role in Napoli’s triumphant Scudetto-winning campaign last season, has garnered significant interest from various quarters. The Italian club clinched the Serie A title for the first time in over three decades, with Osimhen’s stellar performances in the forefront.

    As per reports from Il Mattino via TMW, Al-Hilal presented their bid to De Laurentiis, putting forth the sum of €130m for the Nigerian international. However, Napoli swiftly declined the proposal, indicating their unwillingness to part ways with the talented striker during this summer transfer window. Instead, Napoli is focusing on securing Osimhen’s future at the club by negotiating a new long-term contract. They value the player at approximately €200m.

    Osimhen’s heroics for Napoli last season saw him finish the season as the league top scorer with 24 goals for the first an African would attain such feat.

    Napoli also broke a 33 -year jinx by clinching the scudetto first time since 1999.

    Many players have since made moves to the Saudi pro league after star forward Cristiano Ronaldo laced his boot for Al Nassr.

    However, Osimhen is yet to put pen to paper for contract extension at the Naples based clubside.

     

  • Transfers: Victor Osimhen’s preferred club revealed

    Transfers: Victor Osimhen’s preferred club revealed

    Napoli hero, and former Italy playmaker,  Salvatore Bagni has revealed that striker, Victor Osimhen is interested in joining English Premier League side Napoli FC.

    According to Bagni, Osimhen will join either of Chelsea or Liverpool next season.

    The Nigerian international has attracted interest from many top European clubs, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain

    But Bagni believes Osimhen could also  join Manchester United or Real Madrid.

    He said “Victor Osimhen won’t return to France because he already played there,” Bagni said while speaking to Si Gonfia la Rite (via Tutto Napoli). “The same thing with Germany.

    “He doesn’t go to Liverpool or Chelsea because they do not play the Champions League.

    “Of all the teams associated with him, for me, he would only go to Manchester United and Real Madrid. He’s not interested in the other teams.”

  • Serie A: Napoli increase Osimhen’s asking price to €160

    Serie A: Napoli increase Osimhen’s asking price to €160

    Napoli football club  have reportedly increased Victor Osimhen’s asking price to ward off suitors.

    Osimhen inspired the club’s first Serie A title since 1989.

    Italian outfit, Il Matino said the Azzurri have increased the asking price of the Nigerian from €150 to €160 in anticipation of a bidding war for the 24-year-old striker this summer.

    Bayern Munich, PSG, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Osimhen in the summer transfer window.

    Despite Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis repeatedly saying the club would not sell Osimhen this summer, it is understood that the Serie A side will do business if they receive a lucrative offer for the striker.

    Osimhen is currently the top goalscorer in the Italian top flight with 23 goals in 27 appearances this season.

  • Osimhen to be out injured for weeks – Napoli President, Aurelio De Laurentiis

    Osimhen to be out injured for weeks – Napoli President, Aurelio De Laurentiis

    The president of Napoli,  Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed that  Victor Osimhen will be out for a couple of weeks after sustaining injury on international duty with Nigeria.

    The Serie A leaders announced on Friday the 23-year-old will miss Sunday’s clash against holders AC Milan at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium due to a muscular injury.

    The club further stated that Osimhen will be evaluated next week but De Laurentiis gave an update during his interview with reporters at the Lega Serie A meeting.

    “He should be out for a couple of weeks, we hope,” said the President.

    Osimhen could now miss the first leg of Napoli’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash against AC Milan at the San Siro.

    The 24-year-old has scored 25 goals in 28 appearances across all competitions for Napoli this season.

  • UCL: Napoli is the best side in Europe this season – Guardiola

    UCL: Napoli is the best side in Europe this season – Guardiola

    Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has picked Serie A side Napoli as the best European side on the continent this season.

    Guardiola made this comment while speaking during his side’s post-match conference after the Citizens thrashed RB Leipzig 7-0 on Tuesday night to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

    There are chances that City and Napoli could face in the quarter-final of the Champions League if Napoli qualify against Frankurt.

    Napoli won the first leg by 2-0 away from home.

    The draws for the quarter-final will be made on Friday after all the eight teams would have qualified.

    “Napoli is maybe the best team in Europe this year, in terms of playing style… close to Arsenal,” he said.

    City is still in the hunt for a Treble, as they are in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and five points behind Arsenal in the Premier League.

  • I was contacted before Napoli signed Osimhen – Jorginho

    I was contacted before Napoli signed Osimhen – Jorginho

    Former Chelsea  defensive  midfielder who currently plays for Arsenal, Jorginho has revealed that he was contacted before Napoli signed Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen.

    He said that Napoli sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli spoke to him on the phone before signing Victor Osimhen.

    Recall that Osimhen joined the Serie A side from Lille in the summer of 2020.

    The Nigerian striker has gone on to establish himself as one of the best strikers in the world.

    Osimhen is currently top scorer in Serie A with 18 goals from 19 appearances.

    “They are doing incredible things, honestly, I didn’t know the guy playing on the wing [ Kvaratskhelia],” Jorginho told DAZN.

    “I knew Osimhen. I had played against him in the Champions League and he had given a hard time to our defenders.

    “Giuntoli called me before signing him and I told him to sign him straight away, he is very promising and is doing really well. They [Osimhen and Kvara] are flying and everything is going well. There is winning energy.”