Victor Osimhen ‘transfer meeting’ takes place amid Arsenal and Chelsea interest

Napoli are believed to be preparing for life after Victor Osimhen after identifying two striker targets who could replace the Nigerian forward.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with recruiting Osimhen, along with Premier League rivals Chelsea, and it has been suggested Mikel Arteta’s men have gone as far as to lodge an offer worth £72m for his services.

A separate report from Italy has explained Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has flown to France for a meeting with Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, in an attempt to convince him to stump up €120 million for the forward.

Drawing up plans for the following Serie A season without their talisman in the side, Napoli are understood to have identified Romelu Lukaku and Girona’s Artem Dovbyk as potential replacements.

Lukaku is an obvious choice for new Napoli boss Antonio Conte, having brought the best out of the Belgian at Inter during their 2020/21 title-winning campaign. Dovbyk enjoyed a successful season of his own last term, scoring 24 times in 36 La Liga appearances to secure Champions League football.

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While it may not be clear who end up being brought in, it seems likely Osimhen will move on from his current club this summer. Discussing his future at the start of this year, the former Lille star told CBS Sports: “The rumours are going round about me being linked with the Premier League. Of course, when you are one of the hottest strikers in the globe, you expect this type of thing. (The) EPL is one of the biggest and best league’s in the whole world.

“I’m at Napoli, I signed a new contract, I’m enjoying my time there, going through it with the team. At the end of the season, I’ve already made up my mind, I already know what I want to do with my career. I have my plan already for the next step I want to take.

“For now, I just want to finish the season strong and go relax somewhere with my daughter, think about my life and finally come out with the decision I’ve already made.”