Chances of keeping Osimhen at Napoli for next season kept getting slimmer with top European clubs pushing hard for his signature, even his teammates believes only a miracle will make him stay at the end of the season, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Nigeria talisman has been incredible this season scoring 25 goals across all competition, his highest in a single season since he turned professional.
Despite the injuries that has plagued his stay in Naples, Osimhen has proven he is a world class player and one of the top number 9s in the world as confirmed by Napoli teammate, Stanislav Lobotka.
“If we are pressed we can just kick it (with a) long ball (and) he will run there and he can get the ball. Also, when you cross, we know that Victor will find (the) ball," Stanislav Lobotka told Associated Press.
“For me, he’s among the top four typical No. 9s in the world with (Karim) Benzema, (Erling) Haaland and (Robert) Lewandowski.”
Stanislav Lobotka also talked about other Napoli players who have really caught the attention of the big guys in the transfer market with their outstanding performances this season and he admits it'll really be a tough task to reject a big money offer for Osimhen and others.
“To be honest, it will be difficult because there are a lot of players and there are a few teams who everybody dreams to play for. We know a lot of it (is) about the money. So if somebody comes and says, ‘OK, for Osimhen 120 million,’ it’s difficult to say, ‘No, we want to keep him here.’
“But maybe one day we’ll be like that.”
Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of today's UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash with due to injury but they're players in the club who can make the night worthwhile for Napoli's fateful.
Stanislav Lobotka also believed the freedom given to the players by Luciano Spalletti is one of the reasons the World is seeing a different Napoli this season.
“Everybody said, ‘OK, this will be a hard season," he said.
“And this for us was like freedom. We can chill and we (have nothing to lose) and we can do what we want.”
“The most important (thing) is the confidence that you feel the coach trusts you. When something (goes) wrong, (Spalletti) will always help you (regain) confidence. … When I feel these feelings, I can show my quality.”
The biggest revelation in the Napoli squad this season has been Georgia international Kvaratskhelia, who even teammate Lobotka had never really heard of.
“Now I think he’s one of the three, four best wingers in the world. … When you get him the space to play one against one you don’t have a chance to catch him.”
SSC Napoli will have a lot to do tonight if they are too stand a chance of progressing to the last four at the expense of the seven times European Champions.
By Oluwayemi Omolagba