Victor Osimhen has handed in a transfer request as he attempts to force his way out of Napoli before the summer transfer window closes.

The Nigeria international played a pivotal role in Napoli’s 2022-23 Serie A success but his future at the club has been under intense scrutiny since last summer.

Osimhen has trained with the club throughout the summer but has not featured in any of their pre-season games with new head coach Antonio Conte eager to bring in Romelu Lukaku as his replacement.

Napoli has agreed to let Osimhen leave this summer but the club’s president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, has been holding out for a team to trigger the striker’s €130m (£110.8m) clause.

Paris Saint-Germain was leading the race for his signature but despite extensive talks with the player’s camp, the Paris club was unwilling to meet that price and will instead stick with its current options of Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani.

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Reports in Italy have claimed both Chelsea and Arsenal have reignited interest in the striker with Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna confirming he is now pushing to leave the club.

Speaking ahead of Napoli’s opening game of the season against Modena in the Coppa Italia, Manna said: ‘Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club. He wants to go.

‘The situation is clear, there were already chances for his exit last summer. Victor wants to leave. We will see in the next 20 days.’

Chelsea has long-standing interest in Osimhen and have already taken their summer spending to £200million with Pedro Neto set to be unveiled by the club.