Chelsea target Victor Osimhen is not playing for Napoli again as he does not want to jeopardise his move to the Premier League this summer, according to Italian outlet Area Napoli.
The Nigerian international was left out of the squad that faced Fiorentina on Friday night and could also be excluded when the former Serie A champions take on Lecce on the last day of the campaign next Sunday.
Napoli can no longer qualify for the Champions League or Europa League, and Italian journalist Paolo Esposito reckons Osimhen is not keen on risking his fitness and playing in games whose results will have no impact on their campaign.
The 25-year-old wants to move on this summer after spending four seasons with Napoli, and Chelsea are one of the favourites to clinch his services.
They are not the only club interested in Osimhen, and whether they can afford to activate his release clause remains to be seen given their issues with Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability Regulations.
The Italian club want €130 million (£112m) from suitors to sell their most prized possession, and Chelsea will need to sell some players to be able to make such a marquee signing this summer.
They are guaranteed a spot in the Conference League next season heading into the final day of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign but could secure a place in the group stages of the Europe League if they pick up all three points on Sunday when they host Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur lose to Sheffield United.
Qualifying for Europe will boost their chances of landing top players in the transfer market, and manager Mauricio Pochettino will hope he is finally able to sign his own players after insisting following the 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion that this squad is not his team.
Osimhen fits the profile and boasts the qualities the Argentine wants in a striker, and landing such a proven and prolific hitman could help Chelsea challenge for the title next term.
