With Victor Osimhen transfer away from Napoli imminent in the summer, the Serie A champions has reportedly listed his Nigerian compatriot and Bayer Leverkusen forward, Victor Boniface as a possible replacement.

Boniface who missed the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire following an injury on the eve of the tournament, is one of Nigeria’s standout strikers in the current campaign in Europe after notching an impressive 16 goals across 23 matches .

On Monday, several Italian news outlets including Football Italia, claimed the 23-year-old former Union Saint-Gilloise striker is being listed among several others as likely replacement for ‘want away’ Osimhen.

According to Football Italia, Napoli will almost certainly have to let Osimhen leave in the summer though the 25-year-old striker last Christmas extended his stay to June 2026 with a new contract which included €130m release clause.

Incidentally, Osimhen recently told the press that he’s already decided his next step and is now expected to push for a departure from Napoli at the end of the season with Paris Saint-Germain now been heavily linked to the Nigerian forward a replacement for Kylian Mbappe.

Meanwhile, Andrea Ramazzotti of La Gazzetta dello Sport believes Napoli has drawn a list of possible players as replacement for Osimhen with Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee on the top of the shelf.

Others being mentioned according to Ramazzotti, include Jonathan David as well as Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface and Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez.

Meanwhile, Napoli has reportedly dismissed head coach, Walter Mazzarri and brought in Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona on a short-term contract.

As detailed by Gianluca Di Marzio, Napoli have communicated their decision to dismiss coach Mazzarri and are now ready to welcome Calzona, who will sign a six-month deal and lead the squad until the end of the season.

Calzona, who is also the manager of the Slovakia national team, will retain his role and lead the country at the European Championship in the summer.

Calzona will take over the Napoli training today (20th February), ahead of their Champions League clash with Barcelona the day after.

Credit: thenationonlineng.net

Victor Boniface On Napoli’s Radars, May Replace Osimhen

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