Victor Osimhen has been the target of many top clubs across Europe. The Nigerian has been instrumental in the rise of Napoli in recent years. His goals helped the team from Naples lift their first Scudetto in 33 years. Osimhen’s Golden Boot-winning season meant that Napoli lifted the Serie A title in the 22/23 season.
The 24-year-old scored 26 goals and provided 4 assists for Napoli in the 22/23 season. His partnership with his teammates, especially Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, was astounding to watch. The duo combined for an outrageous G/A of 52.
🚨🔵 Victor Osimhen new deal at Napoli will include huge salary rise; Nigerian striker is gonna be one of the best paid players in the history of the club.
New deal will be valid until June 2026, one more year as reported yesterday.
🔴↪️ Release clause already valid in 2024. pic.twitter.com/pZgsvagXi8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 14, 2023
Napoli’s club headquarters had therefore been filled with inquiries about Victor Osimhen. Premier League clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United have put the Nigerian striker on the radar. But the interest has dealt a huge blow, as Osimhen has signed a new contract with the Neopolitans.
Victor Osimhen can also pass the ball spectacularly.
Proof: pic.twitter.com/GTcuywYkUC
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 14, 2023
The current contract for the Nigerian runs until the end of the 2024-25 season. The club moved wisely and swiftly to extend Osimhen’s contract. His new contract would also come with a higher release clause. The increased release clause is to ward off any interest from rival clubs.
Victor Osimhen’s new contract will expire in June 2026. The contract would also have an option to extend it for another year. Osimhen‘s current salary of around $100,000 per week would significantly increase, making him one of the highest-paid players in the Italian first division.
Napoli would value the new release clause at around $141 million. Saudi clubs targeted the Nigerian striker in the summer. But Osimhen seems delighted to stay at Napoli for several more years.
The club plays in some elite competitions, thus giving him space to develop his skills. Speaking to former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel on a podcast, Osimhen said, “‘I spoke with the people in charge and we spoke about it with my club and we saw what we could do, we decided, me and them and I told them, ‘I like these people, I want to stay, I don’t think I want to leave for now’”. (via Metro UK).
He further added, “They understand where I’m coming from but they (Saudi teams) never gave up until their own transfer window [closed]”. The Nigerian reportedly turned down a salary of $1 million to stay with the Neopolitans.
Victor Osimhen wins the title of Best Male Soccer Player at the 2023 CAF awards
The city of Marrakesh hosted the annual CAF awards on December 11, 2023. The award ceremony saw Napoli’s Victor Osimhen win the title of Best Male Soccer Player of 2023. This was the first time a Nigerian had won the title since Kanu Nkwankwo in 1999.
Victor Osimhen wins the 𝐂𝐀𝐅 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 for best player in Africa 🎭🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/8nfRQuLd31
— 433 (@433) December 11, 2023
The 24-year-old eclipsed Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi to clinch his maiden African Best Player award. Speaking after winning the award, Osimhen said, “It is a dream come true. I have to thank everybody who has helped me on this journey and all Africans who have helped to put me on the map despite my faults”. (via Al Jazeera)
Asiat Oloasha from Nigeria won the Best Female Soccer Player award at the gala on the same night as her fellow countryman. This was the sixth instance in which Asiat has been awarded the title, which is an African record. Morocco was judged the best men’s soccer team, while Nigeria won the same award in the women’s category.
Victor Osimhen’s list of individual accolades is increasing rapidly. In his short career thus far, the Nigerian has scaled the peaks of the soccer world. It would be interesting to see how Osimhen develops as a player in the future.