Victor Osimhen (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Juventus has joined the race for Victor Osimhen, despite Napoli’s long-standing policy of refusing to sell key players to domestic rivals.
The Nigerian forward, who is currently recovering from injury and spending time with Galatasaray on loan, has a €75 million release clause—but it's only valid for foreign clubs. That technicality hasn't stopped Juventus from making their interest known.
According to multiple sources, the Turin giants are prepared to offer €85 million in a direct bid to test Napoli's resolve. The big question now is whether Aurelio De Laurentiis, Napoli's president, will hold firm or yield to the financial temptation.
“Money is king,” one insider said, hinting that even De Laurentiis might struggle to turn down such a sum—especially with Osimhen expected to leave this summer regardless of destination.
However, for any deal to materialize, Juventus must first offload Dušan Vlahović. The Serbian striker has not lived up to expectations at the Allianz Stadium and has reportedly been offered to several clubs, including Arsenal.
Vlahović, who rose to prominence at Fiorentina, could command a sizable fee that would help fund Juventus' Osimhen ambitions. But his strained relationship with sections of the fan base and inconsistent form make his future uncertain.
Juventus are also closing in on Champions League qualification, a factor that could prove decisive in convincing both Osimhen and Napoli of the club’s ambition and financial stability.
Despite Napoli’s resistance to strengthening a domestic rival, Juventus appear determined to pursue Osimhen with everything they’ve got. Whether that will be enough remains to be seen.