Victor Osimhen and Napoli endured a frosty relationship during the course of the summer transfer window. The Nigerian international made his intention known to the club that he no longer wanted to be part of their project.
Osimhen used to enjoy a good relationship with the club and the fans. The productive forward was part of the team that helped Napoli win the scudetto after enduring a three-decade wait.
He was a leading figure at the club under the leadership of the Italian coach, Luciano Spalletti. Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia formed a productive attack that cliched the Serie A title in style.
His impressive performance throughout the title-winning campaign made the Nigerian international a darling to the club’s supporters. He netted 26 goals to win the Golden Boot, which further endeared him to the club supporters.
He was celebrated by the club hierarchy and dubbed a possible club legend. However, those expectations took a downward turn when Osimhen and Napoli failed to replicate their title-winning campaign the following season.
Managerial Problem at Napoli
After winning the Scudetto, Luciano Spalletti announced his departure from the club, saying he had exhausted his energy and would love to observe a break from the game. Napoli’s hierarchy tried to talk him out of the decision but the Italian coach remained resolute on his stance.
The club then contracted Rudi Garcia to replace their title-winning manager. The French tactician came in with a different style of play which the players found difficult to adapt to. Thus, Napoli failed to retain their league title and missed out on a Champions League spot.
Rudi Garcia’s woeful performances at the club got him the sack letter and the club brought in club icon Walter Mazzarri to take charge of the team. However, Mazzarri failed to meet expectations and was replaced at the end of the season.
Napoli appointed Antonio Conte, an Italian manager who knows what it takes to win the Serie A, having won the league title on several occasions with Juventus and Inter Milan. The club would be counting on his experience to win the Scudetto this season.
The Fall out between Napoli and Victor Osimhen
The fallout between Napoli and Victor Osimhen began last season when the club failed to replicate their title-winning campaign. Things began to get sour between many of the club favourites and fans who thought the players were not giving their best.
The players understood the frustrations of fans who paid for gate passes to watch their team play. This made Osimhen and his teammates try to give their best.
However, things got worse between the Nigerian international and the club hierarchy towards the end of last season. Osimhen missed a penalty during one of the league matches and the club posted a meme on its official TikTok account to mock their star player.
The meme raised lots of concerns on social media from Osimhen’s countrymen who accused Napoli of racism towards the Nigerian international. Osimhen tried to play it cool and acted as though the meme was no big deal.
Little did we know that he already decided that would be his last season for the Italian outfit.
Antonio Conte Wanted Victor Osimhen at Napoli
Having resumed duties as the new manager of Napoli, Antonio Conte spoke with Victor Osimhen and made him understand that he would like him to be an integral part of the team rebuilding.
Conte loves playing pressure and aggressive attacking football and thought Osimhen fits perfectly to his style of play. He tried talking the Nigerian international out of his plan to leave the club but the player was defiant and insisted on plying his trade elsewhere.
After a handful of meetings between Napoli and Victor Osimhen, the club decided to shop for a new striker having exploited all avenues to retain their star man to no avail.
Napoli and Antonio Conte decided Romelu Lukaku would be a worthy replacement for their departing striker. The Belgian played a key role when Conte lifted the Serie A title with Inter Milan a few years ago. Napoli would be hoping Lukaku would replace Osimhen perfectly.
Napoli’s Asking Price
Napoli brought in the Nigerian international from Lille at an expensive price and wouldn’t let him go without recouping their investment. They paid a high amount when the Nigerian was relatively well known and nurtured him to stardom.
It is only fair to see the Italian club try to recoup their investment in the African who has developed into one of the best strikers in the world. During the summer transfer window, top clubs who were privy to Osimhen’s situation at Napoli came asking for his signature.
But Napoli set his transfer price at 130 million euros which most of the suitors were unable to meet. Chelsea FC in England and Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia were among the clubs that wanted to sign the Nigerian.
Osimhen and Al Hilal both agreed on personal terms about the transfer but the Saudi Arabian outfit was unable to meet Napoli’s valuation of their star striker. After several unfruitful meetings with the Italian club, Al Hilal got frustrated and dropped out of the deal.
Chelsea was also one of the clubs that showed interest in the Nigerian international. But the English premier league side was not ready to meet the 130 million euros asking price for Osimhen.
The London outfit then proposed a player-plus-cash deal but Napoli rejected such an offer, asking for an outright payment for their striker. Chelsea and the striker also failed to reach a personal agreement on the player’s salary which ultimately ended the possibility for any deal.
Galatasary Loan Deal for Victor Osimhen
After failing to secure a permanent transfer out of Napoli, they were talking about reabsorbing the Nigerian international back into the team but Conte was against the idea.
He stated that he had moved on from the idea of having Victor in his ranks. This means that the only option left for Africa was to seek a loan deal out of the club. Galatasaray proposed a loan deal and Osimhen headed to Italy.
Winners and Losers of the Napoli and Victor Osimhen Debacle
So far, there are no winners and losers between Victor Osimhen and Napoli. But with the loan deal to Galatasaray, Osimhen’s value is likely to drop and no club would be willing to pay the exorbitant asking price Napoli wants for their striker.
If this occurs, then Napoli are likely going to be the big losers in this battle and would regret asking for too much on their striker.
Also, Osimhen would likely lose out in the event he drops in value because he would find it difficult to secure a top European club.