Victor Osimhen: Super Eagles striker goes missing amid PSG transfer

Victor Osimhen, Napoli's prolific Nigerian striker, was notably absent as the Italian club continued their preseason preparations, fueling speculation about his imminent departure.

The Super Eagles star missed out on Napoli's second consecutive win under new manager Antonio Conte, a 3-0 victory against Mantova, following his absence from the pitch in their 4-0 triumph over Anaune Val Di Non.

The 25-year-old's non-participation in these early preseason fixtures has intensified rumours surrounding his future, with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) emerging as the frontrunner for his signature.

Osimhen, who has made no secret of his desire to leave Napoli this summer after a stellar four-year spell, is reportedly closer to sealing a move to the French capital.

PSG is said to be prepared to meet Napoli's hefty €120 million asking price for the African Player of the Year. However, Osimhen has previously expressed a preference for a move to the Premier League, adding another layer of intrigue to the transfer saga.

Napoli's new manager, Antonio Conte, appears to be planning for life without the Nigerian talisman.

Conte's decision to exclude Osimhen from the squad, despite the player not suffering from any issues, suggests that a deal could be close.

In a recent statement, Conte revealed his stance on Osimhen's proposed move to PSG, expressing confidence that the transfer will be finalised.

Conte's comments suggest that Napoli is prepared for Osimhen's exit and may already have plans in place to reinvest the substantial transfer fee.

The club's ability to seamlessly continue their preseason preparations without their star striker further hints at a well-orchestrated transfer plan.

With PSG seemingly closing in on the Nigerian's signature and Conte already planning for the post-Osimhen era, it appears that one of Serie A's most exciting transfer sagas may soon reach its conclusion.

For now, Napoli fans will be watching closely as their club navigates this transitional period, hoping that Conte's confidence in the club's plans will translate into continued success on the pitch, with or without their Nigerian goal-scoring machine.