After concluding his international duty at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen is anticipated to arrive at his Serie A club Napoli on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
The 25-year-old and the Super Eagles Striker completed a valiant run to the competition’s final, where they were defeated 2-1 by the host nation Ivory Coast on Sunday at the Alassane Outtara stadium in Abidjan.
As one of the team’s best players, Osimhen scored one goal, assisted on another, and won two penalties. All told, the African Footballer of the Year was involved in four of Nigeria’s eight tournament goals.
Following the second-placed finish, the Eagles returned to Nigeria on Monday and were received by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday who awarded the players and team officials National Awards of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) and other prizes.
According to Naples-based Italian publication, Corriere dello Sport, Osimhen is expected to return to Napoli on Wednesday and is even expected to play agains Genoa in their next game on Saturday.
“Osi should return to base tomorrow (Wednesday). At the latest Thursday on the pitch, reasonably in time to then lead the team Saturday at Maradona against Genoa,” the sports paper read after translation.
Napoli president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, has already said that he expects Osimhen to leave the defending champions this summer, just one season after he fired them to a league title for the first time in 33 years.
“We’ve known all this since last summer, which is also why negotiations for the extension of his contract, although friendly, took so long,” De Laurentiis said.
“We know he’s either going to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain or an English club.”
Osimhen signed a contract extension with the Italian champions in December that contains a release clause of between €120million to €130million.