Victor Osimhen edges towards Napoli exit as they prepare to face Lazio

Leander Dendoncker could be handed his debut for Napoli when they return to Serie A action against Lazio, but Victor Osimhen’s future looks set to be elsewhere next season.

Midfielder Dendoncker has joined the Partenopei on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the season to bolster Walter Mazzarri’s options.

The defending Serie A champions continue to struggle for consistency, sitting down in ninth place, and were beaten by Inter in the Italian Supercoppa final in Riyadh, where Giovanni Simeone was sent off.

Nigeria international Osimhen is away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite signing a contract extension which runs until June 2026 and is said to have a release clause of around £112million, last season’s Serie A top scorer continues to be linked with a move away.

Osimhen has already said he already has a plan on his “next step to do at the end of the season”.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed 25-year-old Osimhen was set to leave.

“We have known it since last summer – otherwise, the negotiation to extend would not have been so long,” De Laurentiis told Italian media.

“We already knew he would join Real Madrid, PSG or a Premier League club.”

Poland midfielder Piotr Zielinski is another player expected to leave Napoli in the summer, with Inter a reported likely destination.

Lazio were also involved in the Italian Super Cup, which was held in Saudi Arabia, and were beaten 3-0 by Inter in the semi-final.

Scarica il Match Program di #LazioNapoli https://t.co/gVkaqHdt82 pic.twitter.com/Ov8leWxbwK

— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) January 27, 2024

Maurizio Sarri’s side return to Serie A action looking to keep up the pressure in the push for the European places.

Lazio will be without forward Mattia Zaccagni and captain Ciro Immobile through suspensions

Centre-back Patric has been carrying a shoulder problem, so Mario Gila could again come into the defence.

As well as missing Simeone, Napoli have Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Jens Cajuste serving suspensions.

Belgian forward Cyril Ngonge could feature following his recent move from Verona.