Napoli have confirmed that striker Victor Osimhen has had “second thoughts” on signing a new contract with the club as Chelsea lead a string of clubs interested in completing a transfer for the Nigeria international striker.

Osimhen, whose present deal expires in 2025, had been widely expected to sign a new contract with the Serie A champions, despite transfer rumours linking him with several major clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal and PSG.

He has since been involved in a couple of high-profile controversies, though, and Napoli have now admitted that the player’s future is in doubt after reports emerged claiming that relations between the club and the player had deteriorated. These have been fuelled by president Aurelio De Laurentiis hinting the 24-year-old could be sold.

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Included in Osimhen’s recent problems are a touchline spat with head coach Rudi Garcia and, more severely, a TikTok scandal that the club failed to apologise for, despite the striker’s agent claiming that the player felt there were racist undertones to their actions.

Napoli have now stated: “After a series of lengthy contract negotiations which ended with the parties shaking hands and agreeing to continue together, Victor had second thoughts.

“President De Laurentiis hopes this is merely a pause for reflection. Over the coming weeks when Victor will not be able to play as he recovers from injury, the president, Osimhen and his agent Roberto Candela will sit down calmly to discuss the future.

“Describing the relations between Osimhen and Napoli as frosty is entirely out of place.”

Premier League sides watching on

Chelsea and Arsenal will be monitoring the situation closely as both have been linked with a move for Osimhen, while Manchester United are another side that could turn their attention towards the player.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have recently been associated with the possibility of a transfer and are even cited in Italy as the club that has put doubts in the player’s mind.

According to Ben Jacobs, the Blues are following the situation “closely”.

Previously, Napoli had been bullishly demanding a fee of up to €300 million for the player, yet these doubts over his contract mean their negotiating position if and when a transfer approach is made will be seriously weakened.