Napoli grant Osimhen extended holiday

Serie A champions Napoli have generously granted Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, an extended holiday, allowing him to relish a well-deserved break before returning to pre-season training, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

While the other Napoli players are set to convene at their pre-season training camp in Dimaro on Monday, July 10, where they will commence the first part of their summer schedule, Osimhen has been accorded additional time to enjoy the summer break.

This exclusion arises from his recent national team duties with the Nigeria national team, in which he participated on June 18 for the qualifying match against Sierra Leone for the next African Cup.

Osimhen’s exceptional performance, including a remarkable brace in the 3-2 victory that secured the Super Eagles’ qualification for the competition’s finals scheduled for January and February 2024, entitles him to a few more days of vacation. Consequently, he will make his appearance in Dimaro on Friday, July 14.

The 24-year-old Nigerian international played a pivotal role in Napoli’s triumphant Serie A campaign, securing their first league title in 33 years. Additionally, he emerged as the leading scorer in Italy’s topflight with an impressive tally of 26 goals in 32 games during the 2022/23 season.

Such outstanding displays have garnered attention from prominent clubs such as PSG, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich.

FootballItalia reports that Osimhen is Paris Saint-Germain’s primary target if Kylian Mbappe departs the club this summer. Last year, the 24-year-old Frenchman had been poised to join Real Madrid, but he opted to remain at Parc des Princes, signing a new two-year deal with the option for an additional 12 months, under the management of Carlo Ancelotti.

Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille in 2020 in a deal worth €75m. He has scored 50 goals in 83 Serie A matches adding seven in 11 Champions League appearances.

His current contract at the Stadio Maradona expires in June 2025.