Transfer Gossip: Victor Osimhen makes Napoli demand to give Man Utd hope of unlikely deal; West Ham winning race to sign £14m Man City winger
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen celebrate for Napoli
Manchester United have been given slim hope that a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen could still be on after the striker’s latest contract demands, while Friday’s Transfer Gossip claims West Ham are winning the race to snap up a top young Manchester City attacking talent.
UNITED STILL HAVE OSIMHEN HOPE
Victor Osimhen reportedly wants a £103.8million (€120m) release clause inserted into a new Napoli contract amid continued links to the Premier League.
The Nigeria international scored 31 goals for the Serie A side last season as they claimed their first title win in 33 years, but that goals tally has subsequently led to interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.
It’s believed Osimhen is willing to sign a new contract, as Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is refusing to sell him this summer.
However, the striker wants a release clause inserted into his new deal to allow him to fulfil his “dream” of playing in the Premier League.
Osimhen has just two years left on his existing deal and Napoli don’t want to risk losing him on the cheap in a year’s time.
As reported by Sky in Italy, contract talks between Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda and De Laurentiis are progressing. However, the two parties are struggling to agree on the release clause.
That’s because Napoli want his release clause to be set far higher, at £173million (€200m) €200m.
Napoli determined to maximise Osimhen profit
That sort of figure would effectively render the clause a moot point as top clubs are highly unlikely to go anywhere near it. But from Napoli’s point of view, they don’t want to lose Osimhen for anything other than a profit – having paid Lille around £70m for his services three years ago.
If Napoli agree to a £103.8m release clause and a Premier League club hits it, then Napoli will have no choice, despite a defiant De Laurentiis, speaking in May after Napoli’s Serie A triumph, declaring: “I will not sell Victor Osimhen this summer, no way!”
United have switched their transfer focus to a new frontman after completing a deal for keeper Andre Onana on Thursday.
Atalanta star Rasmus Hojlund remains the most likely option, given that he could move for a fee in the region of £60m.
WEST HAM WINNING RACE TO SIGN CITY STARLET
West Ham are reportedly close to winning the race to sign Carlos Borges from Manchester City.
A report in The Guardian claims the Hammers have offered £14m for the 19-year-old winger, who has also been targeted by Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt, and the deal could be completed soon.
Borges joined City from Sporting in 2014 and has impressed at youth level, where he is noted for his pace and trickery.
City are expected to include a buyback clause for the Portugal Under-19 international, who they accept will have a better chance of playing regularly in the Premier League at the London Stadium.
West Ham boss David Moyes is looking to bolster his squad with the funds from Declan Rice’s mammoth sale, with technical director Tim Steidten hitred to oversee any new additions.
Moyes has been looking for two central midfielders, a centre-back and a left winger.
The Hammers could also make a move for Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen, if a proposed deal for Aaron Cresswell to join Wolves goes through.
PEP CHASING LYON ACE AS MAHREZ REPLACEMENT
Manchester City are considering Lyon starlet Bradley Barcola as a potential replacement for Riyad Mahrez, according to 90min.
Pep Guardiola’s men have reluctantly accepted an offer of around £30m to sell Algerian forward Mahrez to Al Ahli, with the player agreeing a whopping £45m per year salary to join the Saudi Pro League outfit.
Mahrez is due in Saudi Arabia to finalise his move over the coming weekend.
With Mahrez on the move, and potentially Bernardo Silva remaining a target for fellow European heavyweights Barcelona and PSG, City are now actively looking to bolster their wide areas.
The report adds that Barcola is one of the players very much on Guardiola’s radar, with City having previously scouted the France Under-21 international earlier in the season.
Barcola’s Lyon team-mate Rayan Cherki and Celta Vigo sensation Gabri Veiga are also being watched by the Premier League champions though, as they look to follow up their remarkable treble success last season.
