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Topics: Napoli, Victor Osimhen, Antonio Conte, Chelsea, Football, Transfers, Fabrizio Romano
Ryan Smart
Topics: Napoli, Victor Osimhen, Antonio Conte, Chelsea, Football, Transfers, Fabrizio Romano
Napoli have taken a final decision over Victor Osimhen's future at the club after his failed move to Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Chelsea attempted to sign the Nigeria forward on transfer deadline day, but were unable to get a deal over the line.
Elsewhere, Al Ahli reached an agreement to sign Osimhen on a permanent deal, but opted to sign Ivan Toney to take their final foreign player slot instead.
The 25-year-old has been left in limbo as a result of the failed transfer negotiations, having not featured in any of Napoli's first three games of the season under Antonio Conte.
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Conte has insisted that any decision over Osimhen's future is a club matter, but added that his job is to 'make the best decision for the game and find the right balance in every game'.
Now, Romano claims that Napoli have decided to exile Osimhen entirely and not include him in their first team squad for the 2024/25 season.
The same decision has been made over left-back Mario Rui, who also failed to secure a move away from the 2022/23 Serie A champions.
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The latest decision caps off a bizarre turn of events for the Nigeria forward, who comfortably won the Serie A Golden Boot as Napoli lifted the Scudetto one year ago.
He followed that up by scoring 15 goals in 25 appearances last term, but it was a disappointing title defence for Napoli as they failed to even qualify for Europe for this season.
Now, despite being one of the top strikers in world football, Osimhen faces an enforced spell on the sidelines without being able to play football.
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The reason for Napoli's desire to sell him, according to The Independent, is because of the club's precarious finances and their belief that Osimhen, who is on a reported £300,000 per week, would be sold this summer to ease their situation.
They had the opportunity to sell the striker last summer, but club president Aurelio de Laurentiis demanded at least £170 million and no club was willing to offer that sum.
Whether a transfer to another club can be resurrected remains to be seen - the Saudi Pro League's window shuts on September 2 - but as of right now, Osimhen faces four months out of first team action.
SPORTbible has contacted Victor Osimhen's representatives for comment.