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Victor Osimhen’s future has been uncertain after failed transfer moves to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia, leaving the Nigerian striker out of Napoli’s plans. As the new season unfolds, Napoli coach Antonio Conte has emphasized the club’s consistency in handling the situation, making it clear that Osimhen will not be reintegrated into the first team.
Failed Transfers to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia
Throughout the summer transfer window, Victor Osimhen was heavily linked with moves away from Napoli, with Chelsea and Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli emerging as the most serious contenders for his signature. Despite significant interest, both transfers ultimately collapsed, leaving Osimhen in a state of limbo.
Chelsea’s late bid of €6 million was deemed too low by Napoli, who had hoped to secure a more substantial fee. Meanwhile, a potential deal with Al-Ahli, which initially seemed promising, fell through when Napoli increased their demands by an additional €5 million. This last-minute hike in the asking price derailed negotiations, leaving Osimhen without an exit route as the European transfer window closed.
Napoli’s Tough Transfer Window
Napoli’s coach, Antonio Conte, has openly described the transfer window as “tough,” reflecting on the challenges the club faced in their attempts to sell Osimhen. “I’m sorry about what happened. I’m sorry for Osimhen, for the club that didn’t monetize, and for myself, because we didn’t complete the team as we wanted,” Conte stated during a press conference. The inability to finalize a transfer deal for Osimhen has had a significant impact on Napoli’s plans, both financially and strategically.
Despite these setbacks, Conte praised the club’s consistency in handling the situation, underscoring the importance of maintaining a firm stance. “Coherence is the starting point when it comes to respecting the rules. The club proved consistent, and I praise them for this attitude,” he added.
Conte’s Firm Stance: Osimhen Left Out Of Napoli Squad
Antonio Conte has made it clear that Victor Osimhen will not be reintegrated into Napoli’s squad, regardless of the failed transfer attempts. “No player will be reintegrated. Those who are out of the project will remain out of the project,” Conte emphasized, signaling a definitive end to Osimhen’s involvement with the first team for the foreseeable future.
This firm stance reflects Napoli’s commitment to consistency and respect for club decisions, despite financial and personnel challenges. Osimhen’s exclusion from the squad has been further solidified by the arrival of Romelu Lukaku, who has taken over the No. 9 shirt previously worn by Osimhen.
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Uncertain Future for Osimhen
While the European transfer window has closed, there remains a slim possibility that Osimhen could still secure a move, as the Saudi Arabian transfer window remains open until September 2. However, Napoli director Giovanni Manna has expressed doubt that a transfer to Saudi Arabia will materialize. “I don’t think Victor will go to Saudi Arabia,” Manna said, casting further uncertainty over Osimhen’s immediate future.
As things stand, Osimhen faces the prospect of being sidelined until the January transfer window unless an unexpected opportunity arises. The situation leaves one of Napoli’s top players in a precarious position, with his career trajectory uncertain as the new season progresses.
Conclusion
Victor Osimhen’s situation at Napoli remains unresolved, with failed moves to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia leaving the striker in a difficult position. Napoli’s steadfast approach, led by Antonio Conte, highlights the club’s commitment to consistency and respect for their decisions, but it has also left one of their key players out in the cold. As the new season begins, the focus will be on whether Osimhen can find a way out of this impasse or if he will be forced to wait until January for a potential resolution.
