Napoli coach Rudi Garcia insists Victor Osimhen ‘wants to stay’ but ‘never say never in football…’
Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda is negotiating a new deal for the Nigeria international, who is under contract at the Stadio Maradona until June 2025.
“I’ve had positive feelings. The group has impressed me and it’s pleasing. The first target is to keep all our players. Osimhen has a contract and he’s calm,” Garcia told Il Corriere dello Sport.
“I hope he stays, he has a contract and everyone’s calm, but never say never in football. I am confident and he wants to stay.
“He is one of the best strikers out there and we are happy he’s playing with us. I’ve spoken to all players, including Victor. They are all working hard and focussing on training before the start of the season, which is close.”
Multiple sources in Italy claim Calenda and President Aurelio De Laurentiis still haven’t agreed on Osimhen’s new salary and potential release clause. ADL has set Osimhen’s asking price at €200m for this summer.
Napoli are also looking for a replacement for Kim Min-jae who has joined Bayern Munich for over €50m.
“For sure, we need a defender. It’s not an easy matter, but it’s rare to have easy things in the market,” said the French coach.
“If nobody arrives shortly, I already have three centre-backs and am only using two. We work all together on the market, we are a team.”