Africa's Best Player Victor Osimhen Set To Sign A Contract Extension With Napoli Amid Interest From Chelsea and Arsenal.

Victor Osimhen is set to sign a new contract extension with Italian club side Napoli.

Napoli reportedly reach an agreement on principle with Osimhen, and contract extension will include a potential release clause of €130 million (£112m/$141m), which is a major blow to club's interested in the Nigerian maskman signature.

Over the past few weeks, reports have continued to suggest that both the Blues and the Gunners are gearing up for bids on the star despite Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis' continued talk about a new deal between Osimhen and the club.

Chelsea were reportedly having concrete interest in a potential January move, but may now turn to Brentford's Ivan Toney with Osimhen set for Napoli's stay.

According to football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano;“The fresh deal will be valid until June 2026, one more year.

“Final value of the clause, TDB — could be around €130m as per Sky, which will make him the most expensive player in Italy.

“Official announcement expected soon.”

Osimhen's five-year deal with Napoli was set to expire in the summer of 2025, but the deal will add another year, to 2026, and is likely to include a release clause. 

Hd has been with Napoli since 2020, when he was signed from Lille. The Serie A club paid a club-record €70m (£60m/$76m) plus €10m (£9m/$11m) in add-ons, so they could potentially turn a major profit if his release clause is ever triggered.

The 24-year-old striker who was newly crowned the CAF Best Africa Player Of The Year on Monday night, featured 32 times for Napoli in the Serie A last season, scoring 26 goals in a campaign that saw him win the Golden Boot and earn the club the Scudetto for the first time in over 30 years. 

He also finished eighth in the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings.

The splendid performance has seen Super Eagles star been on the radar of every top club in Europe.

Though the one-year contract extension probably does not stop Osimhen from leaving Napoli, it only just gives the club much more leverage, especially with the release clause inserted.

Osimhen has scored six goals in 11 Serie A games this season, and hopes to continue scoring more goals for Napoli in the meantime.

The reigning Serie A champions are currently sixth in the league standings which makes their title defence already looking unlikely as they trail league leaders Inter Milan by 14 points.

After losing 1-0 to second place Juventus at the Allianz stadium last weekend, the Partenopei prepare to face 16th place Cagliari on Saturday at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium.