Starting during the January transfer window, the rumours sending Victor Osimhen to Newcastle United carried on way after the market shut.
The idea was for the Nigeria international to become a summer target for the Magpies, an expensive one at that, but it appears he is going to stay put for the time being.
After all, he is happy in the south of Italy, scoring 13 goals in 24 games this season so far, and most recently bagging himself a brace in the 2-1 win over Hellas Verona over the weekend.
Any transfer to take Osimhen away from Napoli would cost more than a €100m, a fee Newcastle are said to have offered, such is the value Aurelio De Laurentiis is said to have placed on his star.
He said: “There are many clubs on the Nigerian, but I feel like giving some news: Osimhen will stay in Naples again next season. Aurelio De Laurentiis and Luciano Spalletti are crazy about him and have no intention of getting rid of him. In addition, the former Lille man earns important figures in Campania. He is fine and doesn’t press to go away.”
If true, this will be a blow to Eddie Howe and his staff, who clearly had made Osimhen a target for the future, but we all know money talks, and perhaps they can prove extra convincing.
Then again, Napoli are currently 2nd in Serie A, which puts them in a Champions League spot, which is something Newcastle, for all their money, will not be able to offer next season.
