09 October 2023 , 19:01
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Napoli are preparing to sell Victor Osimhen next year and would be open to allowing the star striker to join Arsenal – but only if Gabriel Jesus goes the other way.
Osimhen is 'considering taking legal action’ against the Italian champions after a bizarre video was posted late last month that appeared to make fun of the Nigerian international, following his penalty miss in a Serie A draw against Bologna.
That bizarre episode comes amid the backdrop of Osimhen – who was wanted by Manchester United, among other clubs this summer – not signing a new contract with the Neapolitans, with whom his current deal runs through to the summer of 2025.
The relationship between the striker and the club appears to have significantly soured and may indeed be at breaking point, with little indication that the former Lille frontman will back down from his position of not extending his stay in southern Italy.
With next year being the final opportunity for Napoli to attain a transfer fee for their in-demand striker, a report in Calciomercato details how they are open to a deal that could see them secure a fee plus a player for his services with Arsenal a prime candidate due to Napoli’s interest in signing Jesus.
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However, the prospect of Mikel Arteta allowing the Brazilian forward to leave north London appears to be extremely unlikely. Jesus plays a key role in his side’s attack and while Osimhen would no doubt be of interest for any club with the relevant transfer funds, he would offer an entirely different attacking profile to the Gunners.
Osimhen helped fire Napoli to a first league title in over 30 years last time out with a standout campaign in which he netted 31 goals across all competitions. However, he was the target of a bizarre video posted from the club’s own social media accounts two weeks ago.
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Osimhen's goals fired Napoli to their first Serie A title in 23 years last campaign (Getty Images)The video centred on an incident in the club’s scoreless draw against Bologna on Sunday, in which Osimhen spurned the opportunity to win the game from the penalty spot. That proved to be the game’s defining moment and was a rare miss from the Nigerian – who had scored six goals in all competitions this term.
Yet Napoli’s peculiar video focused on Osimhen appealing for the penalty, using a strange and rather unsettling sped-up voice – which appeared to have no context, other than to mock the striker for his attempts to persuade the decision to be given. He started and scored Napoli’s 4-1 win over Udinese in the following match but did not take his side's penalty.
There appeared to be tension between Osimhen and new Napoli boss Rudi Garcia, who the striker was seen berating on his way off the pitch after being substituted off late on at Bologna with the visitors chasing a winner. However, an apology to Garcia had seemingly calmed down the episode.