Napoli Reject Liverpool’s Opening Bid for Osimhen As Transfer Battle Intensifies

Victor Osimhen’s future continues to dominate the summer transfer headlines after Napoli rejected Liverpool’s opening bid for the Nigerian striker.

According to Italian journalist Valter De Maggio, Liverpool proposed an “equal exchange” involving Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa in a bid to sign the 26-year-old, but Napoli swiftly turned it down.

The Serie A club, led by president Aurelio De Laurentiis, is holding firm to Osimhen’s €75 million release clause and is demanding both players plus an additional €20 million in cash.

“There is a market twinning between Naples and Liverpool,” De Maggio told Radio Goal. “Liverpool opened with an exchange offer, but De Laurentiis wants Chiesa, Nunez and €20m for Osimhen.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is keen to make Osimhen his marquee signing after guiding the Reds to a dominant Premier League title win by 10 points in his debut season.

The Merseyside club has already spent over €190 million this summer on five new players, including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Armin Pecsi, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Milos Kerkez.

Despite their heavy investment, Liverpool remain committed to landing Osimhen, whom they view as the final piece in their attacking puzzle.

However, Napoli disagrees with Liverpool’s valuation of Nunez at €60m and Chiesa at €20m, prompting a standoff that could drag into the later stages of the transfer window. Any potential deal may need to be broken down into three separate transactions if progress is made.

Galatasaray Make Personal Plea

Meanwhile, Galatasaray are not giving up hope of bringing Osimhen back to Istanbul following a highly successful loan spell in which he scored 37 goals and delivered 8 assists in 41 matches.

Head coach Okan Buruk reportedly made a personal phone call to Osimhen, urging him to return and calling it “the best decision of his career,” according to Turkish outlet Fanatik.

The Turkish giants are facing stiff competition, most notably from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, who have reportedly tabled a staggering €160 million three-year offer, an eye-watering package that would pay Osimhen more than €40 million per season.

Al Hilal’s coach, Simone Inzaghi, is said to have directly contacted the player to pitch the club’s ambitious vision.

Juventus and Premier League Clubs Lurking

Back in Italy, Juventus have emerged as a potential destination, though they would have to negotiate a higher transfer fee since Osimhen’s €75m release clause is only applicable to foreign clubs. Domestically, Napoli are expected to demand significantly more from Serie A rivals.

Elsewhere in England, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal are monitoring developments closely.

With Osimhen yet to make a final decision, the race for his signature remains wide open, setting the stage for a high-stakes summer saga involving some of the biggest names in world football.