Victor Osimhen's agent has met with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis to discuss the Manchester United target's future.
Osimhen, 24, is one of the most sought after strikers in Europe after scoring 26 goals to fire Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years. The Nigeria international also found the net five times in the Champions League during his team's run to the quarter-finals.
Several top European clubs, including United, are interested in signing Osimhen, but Napoli chief De Laurentiis is refusing to sell him on the cheap. He wants €150million (£129m) for the prolific forward, which would be a British record transfer fee.
Osimhen's existing deal expires in two years' time, which is why De Laurentiis met with agent Roberto Calenda to discuss a new contract. It's believed Osimhen wants to receive a similar pay cheque to what a player of his calibre would get elsewhere.
As reported by Sky in Italy, the chat between De Laurentiis and Calenda was relaxed. It's claimed the Napoli chief reiterated the club's valuation of Osimhen, while Calenda asked for a pay rise. The two are set to meet again in the near future to discuss further.
De Laurentiis cannot afford to rest on his laurels, as it's unlikely Napoli will receive €150m for Osimhen if he enters the final 12 months of his contract in a year's time. A new deal may suit all involved in the talks, but not clubs who want to sign the player.
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Osimhen's €150m price tag is too expensive for United. PSG are thought to have offered €120m (£103.2m) for the superstar, but Napoli rejected the bid. "I will not sell Victor Osimhen this summer, no way," said De Laurentiis when asked last month.
Osimhen has established himself as one of Europe's top forwards since scoring 10 goals in seven games to inspire Nigeria to glory in the 2015 U17 World Cup. Spells with German side Wolfsburg and Belgian outfit Charleroi followed before his breakthrough at Lille.
Osimhen scored 18 goals during his one and only season in France, which persuaded Napoli to make him their record signing in July 2020. It's believed Napoli paid Lille €80m (£68.8m) for his services, which is why they won't sell him for a similar fee this summer.
The striker has since found the net 59 times in 101 games, with many of those goals coming last term. Osimhen is also prolific at international level, scoring 17 goals in 25 senior games for Nigeria - including a brace in their recent win against Sierra Leone.
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is among those to heap praise on Osimhen. He said in February: "He’s a very complete player. He’s got a good reference going forward, he can link up play and he’s devastating in the air. He’s a pest to defenders."
Speaking to the Daily Mail in April, Osimhen said: "Everyone watches the EPL [ Premier League ], it is really competitive, but Serie A is also one of the strongest leagues. When Cristiano Ronaldo played there, he said the same thing. I am really happy to be there."
