'No, no way' - Napoli chief rules out Osimhen's departure in January amid Chelsea links 

Napoli sporting director Mauro Meluso has ruled out Osimhen's departure from the current Serie A champions in the January transfer window amid speculation linking the striker with a move to Premier League giants Chelsea. 

It has been speculated that the Parthenopeans could cash in on the Nigeria international due to his contract impasse. 

The Serie A top scorer for the 2022-2023 season will enter the final year of his contract with Napoli at the end of the current season and no progress has been made in contract renewal talks. 

The stumbling block had been the release clause to be inserted into Osimhen's new deal and then the relationship between the club and player turned sour in the wake of the TikTok saga in which he was mocked in two offensive clips for missing a penalty against Bologna about a month ago. 

Chelsea are in the market for an upgrade to their current attack and have been linked with Brentford striker Ivan Toney and Osimhen, but it would be almost impossible for the Blues to sign the Nigerian in January, with Napoli well placed to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League and the striker set to represent the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

When asked about top players like Osimhen leaving the club in January, Meluso said: "No, no way. Absolutely not.

"Our squad is very good and we feel relaxed. Of course we can improve it but it will discuss this topic later".

Osimhen is recovering from an injury suffered while on international duty and is not expected to return to action until after the international break in November. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel