Napoli Chief Points Finger at Osimhen After Club's Decision to Freeze Him Out Following Failed Transfer Deals

Napoli's sporting director, Giovanni Manna, has publicly blamed Victor Osimhen for the current hostilities between the player and the club.

According to Manna, "It was his decision not to play for us again." This statement comes after Osimhen was excluded from Napoli's official 23-man Serie A squad for the 2024/25 season, following failed transfer attempts to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli.

Despite an initial agreement with Napoli for a transfer fee of €80 million (£67m/$88m), the deal with Chelsea fell apart when Napoli increased their demands by an additional €5 million (£4m/$5.5m). Similarly, a move to Al Ahli did not materialize, leaving Osimhen in limbo.

Reports indicate that Napoli had accepted an £67.3 million (€80m) offer from Al Ahli, which would have seen Osimhen earn wages of around £646,000 per week after tax on a four-year contract worth approximately £33.6 million (€40m) per season.

Osimhen's refusal to play for Napoli has led to his exclusion from the first team, and he has been stripped of his number 9 shirt.

Napoli's new manager, Antonio Conte, confirmed the club's stance, stating, "Strong players have arrived, and we don’t need Victor Osimhen." Conte also praised the club president for handling the situation, saying, "The President took on the responsibility to invest and reboot. He took on all the risk, he was incredible."