Napoli’s president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, has acknowledged the inevitable possibility of players like Victor Osimhen departing the club during the upcoming summer transfer window. Despite this, he emphasized that the striker’s departure would come at a hefty price due to his substantial release clause.
Osimhen, in a move to solidify his commitment to Napoli, recently extended his contract by an additional year, binding him to the club until 2026. Crucially, this extension included the introduction of a notable release clause, indicating the club’s intention to safeguard their asset.
Reports from Sky in Italy suggest that this release clause is set between €120-130m (£102m to £111m), a figure reflective of Osimhen’s value in the current market. Speaking at the Financial Times’ Business of Football Summit in London, De Laurentiis confirmed the existence of this clause, underscoring its significance in any potential transfer negotiations.
De Laurentiis reflected on Napoli’s history of retaining top talents, citing examples such as Marek Hamsik’s 11-year tenure with the club. However, he acknowledged the allure of European giants like Real Madrid, PSG, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea, whose financial power often proves irresistible to players seeking new challenges.
Regarding Osimhen’s future at Napoli, De Laurentiis remained pragmatic, stating, “Who knows who will leave? We will see.” He reassured fans that the club’s financial strength would enable them to make strategic acquisitions, emphasizing that sentimentality posed the greatest challenge when bidding farewell to cherished players.
In closing, De Laurentiis likened the departure of a player to seeing a son venture into the world, expressing both pride in their success elsewhere and a tinge of melancholy at their departure from the Napoli family.
