Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian striker who spearheaded Napoli’s Serie A title win two seasons ago with 26 goals, has been excluded from the club’s official 23-man squad for the upcoming season. This unexpected development comes after a summer of speculation surrounding Osimhen’s future, which ultimately saw no move materialize. Despite signing a contract extension with Napoli in December 2022, keeping him at the club until 2026 with a reported release clause of €130 million, Osimhen’s desire to leave was evident.
In January, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis hinted at Osimhen’s departure at the end of the season, and the player was heavily linked with a move to Premier League giants Chelsea or Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli. Negotiations with both clubs continued until the transfer window closed on Friday, but a deal ultimately failed to materialize. Reports suggest that Osimhen’s high wage demands were a stumbling block for Chelsea, while Napoli’s rejection of Al-Ahli’s offer ultimately left the striker stranded. Notably, Al-Ahli moved on to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford for a reported £40 million and Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.
Osimhen’s exclusion from Napoli’s squad for the season underscores the complexity of the transfer market and the delicate dance between player ambition, club expectations, and financial realities. As the season unfolds, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the prolific striker, who will be hoping to find a solution to his current situation.
