Osimhen closer than ever to leaving as Napoli identify Lille marksman as top target to replace Nigerian 

Italian Serie A side Napoli have reportedly identified Lille marksman Jonathan David as the top target to replace Victor Osimhen in the summer. 

Osimhen signed a contract extension with Napoli last December,binding him to The Parthenopeans until June 30, 2026., but everything points to the fact that he will end his four-year association with the club at the end of the season, 

Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be in the driving seat for the signature of Osimhen, with the French Ligue 1 moneybags eyeing him as a replacement for Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe and the Blues wanting him as their marquee forward signing to take the club to the next level. 

Besides PSG and Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal have been mentioned as possible destinations in the event that he departs the Diego Maradona Stadium at season's end.

Osimhen has a release clause of around 130 million euros which any interested club must trigger before he can leave Napoli.

According to Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, Jonathan David is the top preference for Napoli, and the rationale becomes evident upon reviewing his impressive statistics from yet another stellar season for the striker, who was born in New York but represents the Canada national team.

David has mustered 30 goal involvements (23 goals, 7 assists) in 39 games so far this season, mirroring his output from the 2022-2023 campaign. 

Napoli have also been linked with Santiago Gimenez but are aware they could be priced out of a deal, with Feyenoord valuing the Mexico international at 60 million euros after he signed a contract extension last summer. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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