Victor Osimhen plays down talk of a move away from Napoli this summer as £85m forward insists interest from Arsenal and Man United is ‘just rumours’… as he hails ‘ideal coach’ Luciano Spalletti despite training row
- Victor Osimhen has been linked with moves to the Premier League this summer
- He scored 18 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions last season
- But the Nigeria international insists he is happy staying at the Serie A outfit
Napoli star Victor Osimhen has rejected talk that he is set for a move away from the club this summer.
The 23-year-old – who is reportedly valued at £85million by Napoli – has been linked with moves to Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle and Bayern Munich after scoring 18 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions last term.
But he said reports linking him away this summer ‘are just rumours’ and insists he has received assurances from club president Aurelio De Laurentiis about their future plans.
Napoli star Victor Osimhen has rejected talk that he is set for a move away from the club
Arsenal have been linked with a move for the £85m-rated Nigeria international in this window
‘I’m in Napoli. And I have great respect for my club,’ he told Corriere dello Sport.
‘They are just rumours of the market. I’m fine here and I’ve never had such close relationships with everyone as at this moment.
‘I spoke to the president, he is the one who decides, and he reassured me by explaining the club’s plans.
‘I am happy with what he told me and the purchases are of quality: words were followed by deeds. I am very happy to play with Napoli and we will see in the future.’
Osimhen says he has received assurances from Aurelio De Laurentiis about their future plans
Osimhen was also full of praise for former Inter Milan boss Luciano Spalletti, insisting the now Napoli boss is ‘ideal’ for him at this stage of his career.
That is despite a video circulating on social media showing Spalletti telling Osimhen to leave the field for dissent during an intra-squad training match open to the public on Sunday at their pre-season training camp in the city of Castel di Sangro.
‘He is a top coach: every day he tries to motivate me and make me make the most of the potential I have,’ Osimhen added.
‘I think he is the ideal coach for me at this stage: he is one of the reasons why I always give my best. I am happy when he is satisfied with my performance.’
Osimhen also praised Luciano Spalletti (left) despite their training ground row on Sunday
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