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4 months ago
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PSG have been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Victor Osimhen, according to a report.
The French champions have been working on a move for the Napoli forward, who has his heart set on leaving Napoli but is yet to have had a bid for his services accepted by the Italian club.
Chelsea and Arsenal - both in need of attacking firepower - had both been interested in snapping up the 25-year-old centre forward, with Enzo Maresca's side having been heavily linked with a move for the forward.
It was believed that PSG had been closing in on a deal to sign the 25-year-old, but they now appear to have been dealt a major blow in their bid to take the striker to Paris.
According to Fabrizio Romano, PSG are refusing to pay the £113million release clause the Nigeria striker has in his contract, which is proving to be a stumbling block in negotiations.
PSG have been dealt a major blow in their bid to sign Victor Osimhen, according to a report
The French side have been pursuing a deal for the forward but are reportedly unwilling to pay his release clause
Fees have been freed up following the departure of Kylian Mbappe, who has joined Real Madrid
Reports suggest PSG are still hopeful of getting a deal done for Osimhen, thought it is possible they will have to up their bid if they want to secure his signature.
It was thought that a deal was close to being agreed for a fee of around £84m.
Should the French side fail to agree a deal, there is a chance Osimhen could consider bids from the Saudi Pro League with a number of clubs willing to splash the cash.
PSG have money available after Kylian Mbappe departed the club for Real Madrid, but aren't keen to blow more of their budget on one player in their search for a talisman.
Napoli, meanwhile, are ready for Osimhen to leave the club, and want to sign Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku to replace him, according to the report.
Lukaku is still contracted to Chelsea, but his future undoubtedly lies elsewhere.
He is one of the Blues players who have not travelled for their pre-season tour of the USA having competed in Euro 2024 with Belgium.
Reports suggest that Osimhen could consider bids from the Saudi Pro League if PSG are unable to agree a deal
Napoli, meanwhile, are keen to sign Romelu Lukaku as a replacement for the 25-year-old
Osimhen had signed a contract extension to stay at Napoli until 2026 back in 2023, extending his stay at the Serie A side by another season.
He has enjoyed a fruitful spell in Naples, since arriving back in 2020 from Lille.
Across 133 appearances for the club in all competitions he has scored a whopping 76 goals, with Osimhen helping Napoli clinch the league title during the 2022-23 season, having netted 26 goals during the season.
The Nigerian had also revealed that he had 'already made' a decision about where he could play next season, in an interview with CBS Sports back in January - putting several clubs in Europe's top five leagues on red alert. He had spoken on moving to the Premier League too, and claimed the 'EPL is one of the biggest and best leagues in the world.'
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