Napoli president: ‘Osimhen renewal will be surprise Christmas gift’

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis hints that the Victor Osimhen contract extension is truly imminent. ‘It might be the surprise gift under the Christmas Tree.’

 The patron had already commented on the deal to pin down the Nigeria international until June 2026 with improved terms.

He then spoke to TG1 and covered much of the same ground, but with a statement that showed just how close an announcement could be.

“It might, and I say might, be the surprise gift under the Christmas Tree,” said De Laurentiis.

The contract is expected to include a release clause set at €140m, so it is still entirely possible that a club from abroad could swoop in for Osimhen over the summer.

It would still be almost double what Napoli paid to sign him from LOSC in September 2020, which was €75m plus bonuses.

The Hollywood producer also commented on the revival of the Super League project following the ruling from the European Court of Justice.

“I have always been against the idea of the Super League, but I am also in favour of the democratic use of free enterprise.

“So I say that getting rid of the UEFA and FIFA monopoly on football can only be good for the sport because these institutions did not modernize the game, if anything they took it backward.”

Napoli are up against Jose Mourinho’s Roma on Saturday evening and De Laurentiis showed the Special One that he can play mind games too.

“I expect a wonderful game of football. I don’t like the way VAR is used, as many things ought to be improved. I hope that Irrati, Colombo, and Rocchi do not make the errors that have recently made their mark on football.”