Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen is expected to be offered a new deal after his impressive performances for Napoli this season.

Those string of excellent performances have put him on the radar of top clubs in Europe and the Italian club have no intention of losing their star man.

Luciano Spalletti’s side are on track to win their first Scudetto since the days of Diego Maradona this campaign, sitting 16 points clear of second place Inter after 22 games.

A key reason for their success has been the incredible work of Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who have scored 26 league goals between them this season, attracting attention from across Europe.

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has been in contact with the representatives of both Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia in recent weeks, keen to ensure that all parties are on the same page.

Both the Nigerian and Georgian are happy in Campania and have expressed their intentions to stay beyond this season, despite the various transfer market rumours.

Napoli are hoping to extend Osimhen’s current deal by at least one year, to June 2026, in order to protect them from the interested Manchester United and Chelsea. His salary, currently €4.5m net per season, could also rise further with the inclusion of some lucrative add-ons.

Things are a little different for Kvaratskhelia, who has a long contract lasting until 2027 but a significantly lower salary. At the end of the season, the Partenopei will discuss doubling his wages, rewarding him for his incredible debut year in Serie A.

Super Eagles receive Balogun Boost

Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau in March,  Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, has been handed a major boost after Queen Parks Rangers’ manager Neil Critchley announced that defender Leon Balogun had resumed individual training and could join in team training next week.

The 34-year-old has been injured since November 8 in a Championship game against Huddersfield and was a major doubt for the clash against the Djurtus in a double-header clash next month.

“Taylor Richards has been back out on the grass,” Critchley was quoted as saying by QPR’s official webpage.

“But I don’t think he’ll be ready for this weekend – likewise Leon Balogun who we’re hopeful can join in team training next week.”

The central defender had only just joined QPR as a free agent last summer and impressed early on with a goal – against his former club Wigan Athletic in October – in 11 games before the injury.

Though he is not guaranteed a role in the starting xi having been dropped in the last two games by Peseiro, Balogun’s availability will come as good news as the three times African champions hope to maintain their winning streaks so far in the AFCON qualifiers.

Nigeria currently top their Group A with six points following wins over Sierra Leone in Nigeria before thrashing Sao Tome and Principe 10-0 away from home.