Victor Osimhen: Napoli star says his future is decided amid Premier League links - 'I’ve already made up my mind'

Victor Osimhen acknowledged the Premier League rumours surrounding him and said he knows his next step, but the Napoli star refused to reveal his decision.

Osimhen extended his contract with the club for two years in November following interest from Saudi Arabia, but his latest comments suggest he’s far from certain to see out that deal, after signing from Lille for €70 million in 2020.

Liverpool were believed to be the frontrunners to land Osimhen early in the 2023-24 season but have seemingly been overtaken in that race by Arsenal and megaspenders Chelsea, while Osimhen has remained coy on a favourite destination and hasn’t even confirmed he’ll leave Naples.

“The rumour is going around about me linked with the Premier League,"

"Of course, when you’re one of the hottest strikers in the world you expect this type of thing, it’s one of the biggest and best leagues in the world.

“For me, I’m with Napoli, signed a new contract and enjoying my time there with the team, at the end of the season I’ve already made up my mind, I already know what I want to do in my career.

“Since I’ve started, I’ve been the one making my own decisions on everything and it’s working out well for me. I already know the next step I want to take so for now I just want to finish the season strong.”

Chelsea have spent over a billion pounds in the transfer market since Todd Boehly took over - and almost a quarter of that figure just on Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - and sit ninth in the Premier League behind Brighton, West Ham and Aston Villa.

They’re currently 12 points off the Villains and the pulling power of the Champions League football too, while Osimhen and Napoli are set to take on Barcelona in the last 16 of the competition he netted five times in last season.

But for now he remains on Africa Cup of Nations duty for Nigeria as the Super Eagles have qualified for the last 16 as Group A runners-up.

Osimhen scored in the tournament opener against group winners Equatorial Guinea but has failed to add any more to his tally in a quieter season up front overall.

Napoli’s defence of Serie A has faltered with the Azzurri currently sat ninth and 21 points behind league leaders Internazionale, while after netting 26 times in their title-winning campaign, Osimhen has scored just seven goals this campaign after battling a hamstring problem.

That has not decreased his transfer value too much though, with Napoli expected to demand a nine-figure fee for his departure.

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