Napoli have reportedly lined up Arsenal striker as a potential replacement for Nigerian red-hot striker Victor Osimhen.
Victor Osimhen could see his time in Italy coming to an end as the striker is yet to pen a new contract with the Serie A champions.
What has happened between Victor Osimhen and Napoli?
The future of Osimhen at Napoli has been the talk of the town in Italy these past few weeks.
The 24-year-old was about to sign a new deal with the club but has put a halt to the process following the viral tiktok video.
Since Napoli published the now-deleted controversial video that made Osimhen and his agent angry, the relationship between the two parties has become complicated.
The former Lille striker was a top transfer target for top clubs in Europe during the summer transfer window. However, Napoli Chief, Aurelio De Laurentiis, turned down offers for the player.
To make matters worse, Napoli have made a three-man shortlist to replace Victor Osimhen.
According to reports from Italy, Napoli have named Arsenal striker Jesus Gabriel, former Juventus frontman Alvaro Morata, and Lille striker Jonathan David as one of the potential replacements for Osimhen.
Gabriel Jesus moved to North London from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 and has been a crucial part of Mikel Arteta’s starting XI. Napoli are more likely to face a uphill task poaching the attacking midfielder from the Emirates with four years remaining on his Arsenal contract.
Napoli stands a chance of signing Alvaro Morata who has less than a year left on his current contract with Atletico Madrid.
If the Spanish striker refuse to pen a new deal with Atletico Madrid, it will be an open invitation for Napoli to throw their weight on signing the player.
The 30-year-old is no stranger to football in Italy, having already spent four seasons in Serie A across two stints with Juventus.
A demand for Jonathan David could cost Napoli less than Jesus due as he has two years remaining on his current deal with Lille and was strongly linked with a transfer away from the French club during the summer.
Meanwhile, Napoli manager Rudi Garcia is reportedly hoping to have Osimhen sign a long-term deal with Napoli but could be forced to let him go if he decides against signing a new contract.
What’s next for Napoli and Victor Osimhen?
As things stand, if Napoli proceeds with working on Osimhen’s replacement it could force the Nigerian striker to depart the club in January, however, the question is which European club side will hire the 24-year-old inform goalscorer?
