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Club president in strong stance on red-hot striker amid Arsenal and Newcastle approaches

Aurelio De Laurentiis Luciano Spalletti
Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis (Reuters)
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Arsenal and Newcastle United are keen on Napoli striker Victor Osimhen – but it sounds like he won’t be allowed to leave the Italian club this summer.

That’s according to TEAMtalk, who claim that Osimhen is now ‘very unlikely’ to leave Napoli at the end of the season.

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis allegedly sees keeping Osimhen as being a priority above anything else this summer.

That’s despite interest in the likes of Amir Rrahmani and Fabian Ruiz. Osimhen appears to be the sole focus for De Laurentiis.

De Laurentiis is ready to reject all bids for Osimhen, as even an offer of around £100million is thought to be unlikely this summer.

That leaves Arsenal and Newcastle’s summer plans in tatters amid claims they are both keen on the Nigerian.

Tuttomercatoweb reported earlier this month that Arsenal have made an approach for Osimhen ahead of the summer window.

A Newcastle United bid is understood to have been rejected too, with Napoli standing firm in their battle to keep hold of Osimhen.

Arsenal want to splash the cash on a new striker this summer with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract.

Arsenal Napoli Broja Osimhen
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Newcastle may also be looking to go big with their spending this summer thanks to PIF’s takeover.

Napoli may instead choose to reject the money on offer and keep Osimhen for at least another year.

Osimhen, 23, has smashed 16 goals in 26 games for Napoli this season, with his 12 goals in 21 league games sparking hope of a Serie A title win.

With huge potential for the future, Osimhen is unsurprisingly attracting major interest.

Yet if Napoli get their way, Osimhen will be staying in Italy rather than heading to the Premier League this summer.

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