March 29, 2024

 

Napoli have agreed a record €81m fee with Lille for Victor Osimhen, with the Nigeria striker ready to sign a five-year contract and join the Serie A side in the most expensive transfer deal of the summer so far, reports The Guardian of London.

Osimhen’s transfer fee is the highest paid for an African, eclipsing the €80m Arsenal paid Lille for Ivorian striker, Nicholas Pèpè.

The 21-year-old scored 18 goals in all competitions for Lille before the French season ended prematurely owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and has been linked with several English clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool.

But Osimhen, who changed agent last week, looks set to move to Napoli after negotiations between the clubs were completed on Thursday.

The initial payment is €60m while add-ons make it €80m. There is also an option to extend Osimhen’s contract by a further year.

Lille are expected to step up their efforts to sign Jonathan David having seen a €25m bid for the Canada striker rejected by Gent this month.

The French club have signed the 35-year-old Turkey striker Burak Yilmaz in preparation for Osimhen’s departure and have been told they must pay a Belgian record fee of €30m to secure David.

Meanwhile, Osimhen is expected to take the Number 9 jersey once he arriverd at the Naples-based side.

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