After being linked with a move to Arsenal, Victor Osimhen’s future has been clarified.

Napoli’s Nigerian striker is close to signing a contract extension, tying him to the Italian club until 2026.

The new contract, including a significant release clause of €150m, extinguishes any immediate hopes of the forward joining Arsenal (not that there were many), and also ends the potential move of Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun to Napoli as a replacement.

  • Victor Osimhen is set to extend his contract with Napoli until 2026, amid earlier interest from Arsenal.
  • The deal includes a substantial €150 million release clause.
  • The new contract ends any speculation about a potential move for Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun to Napoli as a replacement for Osimhen.
TOPSHOT - Napoli's Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen reacts during the Italian Serie A football match between Napoli and Lazio on March 3, 2023 at the Diego-Maradona stadium in Naples. (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Napoli’s Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen reacts during the Italian Serie A football match between Napoli and Lazio on March 3, 2023 at the Diego-Maradona stadium in Naples. (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Osimhen’s future secured at Napoli

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will extend his contract with Napoli until 2026, in a move that should please Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

This puts to rest any lingering rumours of Osimhen joining Arsenal, and also impacts the potential move of Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun to the Italian club.

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According to Sky Sports, the 24-year-old’s new contract will offer him €10 million-a-year and includes a €150 million release clause.

The clause will be available from 2024 for non-Italian teams and in 2025 for Italian teams, reflecting Napoli’s commitment to keeping their top scorer.

Rudi Garcia’s satisfaction with the deal

EMPOLI, ITALY - FEBRUARY 25: Victor James Osimhen of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani on February 25, 2023 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
EMPOLI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Victor James Osimhen of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani on February 25, 2023 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Osimhen’s coach, Rudi Garcia, expressed his happiness about the impending contract extension.

He said, “I want Osimhen to be happy, he and the club have done a good job. When (the extension) is official, he will only focus on the pitch and that’s what I like the most.”

The coach’s comments underscore the value Osimhen brings to Napoli. As the top scorer in Serie A last year with 25 goals, the former Lille player has become a coveted asset for several big European teams.

Arsenal’s link with Osimhen and Balogun’s potential move

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 18: Folarin Balogun #26 of Arsenal FC looks on during the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 18: Folarin Balogun #26 of Arsenal FC looks on during the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s interest in Osimhen seems to have cooled down long before this extension.

Additionally, the extension negates the likelihood of Folarin Balogun moving to Napoli as a potential replacement.

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