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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Victor Osimhen left out of Napoli pre-season squad amid links with Arsenal and Chelsea

Napoli manager Antonio Conte left striker Victor Osimhen out of his side for the pre-season friendly against Albanian side KF Egnatia on Sunday evening.

The Nigeria international has been strongly linked with a move away from the club this summer and Conte has previously hinted the club have agreed to let the striker leave for the right price

“I know that there are agreements with the club, it’s a totally different situation, which I’ll witness,” he said.

“Then if you ask me about the player, he’s a top player, but I can’t get into any discussions about Osimhen because these are previous agreements.”

Former Chelsea and Spurs boss Conte signed a three-year contract with the Naples giants earlier this summer and is keen to reunite with Stamford Bridge outcast Romelu Lukaku, who shone under his tutelage during a spell at Inter Milan.

The Blues hold a long-standing interest in Osmihen but do not intend to pay his £113m release clause, while Arsenal have been linked with a move in their pursuit of a new striker.

The Gunners are keen to sign a new forward this summer but will accelerate plans to bring in a new midfielder after wrapping up a £40m move for Bologna defender, Riccardo Calafiori.

Paris Saint-Germain, however, have been hotly tipped to prove the 25-year-od’s eventual landing spot as they look to replace Kylian Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Osimhen has publicly stated his desire to play in the Premier League at some point in his career, telling Sky Sports in January: “Of course one day, definitely.

"But for now, I have other plans in my career that I am looking forward to. So when the time comes, everyone knows."

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