Napoli Plan Record Breaking Salary Offer for Red-hot Forward

Napoli Plan Record Breaking Salary Offer for Red-hot Forward
Credit: Icon Sport

In a bid to keep star striker Victor Osimhen at the club, Napoli have made plans to change their wage structure in order to offer the Super Eagles striker a new contract. 

Osimhen was one of their most important players last season and his 30 goals in 38 matches in all the competitions he featured in helped his side clinch their first Serie A title in 33 years as well as earn a quarterfinal finish in the UEFA Champions League.

With interest coming from top sides like Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, Osimhen could be tempted to make a big move in the summer. The 24-year-old will be a difficult man to replace if he decides to leave and the Club President, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has revealed a plan to ensure that the Nigerian remains at the Stadio Olimpico for the foreseeable future.

Napoli's plan to keep Osimhen

With this strategy, Napoli seem to have taken a cue from German giants, Borussia Dortmund and their successful method of renewing Erling Haaland’s contract in 2020. Gil Azzurri are prepared to offer Osimhen a mouth watering €7 million a year salary, which is almost twice his current earnings of €4.5 million on his current contract.

With this salary increase, this will set a record at the club as Osimhen will become the highest paid player in Napoli’s history. An offer like this shows just how important a player he is to Napoli.

A deal like this could cause problems with the club’s wage structure, but Napoli intends to strategically reduce the salaries of other players to balance the financial commitment of the big contract. By doing this, the club hopes to maintain the current wage structure and keep it intact.

Also, a “reduced” release clause that is equal to half of Osimhen's current market value has also been presented by De Laurentiis and his team. Osimhen is seen by the club as a player worth €150 million and the suggested release clause would be worth around €75 million.  

This release clause will not be active immediately but will be effective for the 2024–25 season. This will allow Osimhen two more years to play for Napoli before being free to make a transfer elsewhere.

Osimhen could be tempted to stay despite interest from abroad

De Laurentiis is certain that this all-inclusive offer, which includes a large pay boost and a carefully thought-out release clause, would persuade Osimhen to commit his future to Napoli.

The president also hopes that the lack of compelling and tangible offers from other teams, particularly in the Premier League at the moment, will convince him to stay at the club as well, but Osimhen has previously revealed that one of his aspirations is to play in the English Premier League.

After the departure of Karim Benzema, Real Madrid are currently in the market for a new striker. They could be another suitor that would be very tempting for the Super Eagles forward, and chances are that Real or the other interested clubs may even offer more money than Napoli’s current offer. 

This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago

Daniel Kolade
All-round lover of the beautiful game. Massive football fan, supported Arsenal for decades for reasons that are unexplainable. One day we will win the Champions League!
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