June 22, (THEWILL) – Concerns loom large among Napoli fans as they contemplate the ability of their beloved club and star players to withstand the financial allure of the English Premier League.
With the recent announcement of Rudi Garcia as the new French coach, Napoli supporters are not only preoccupied with the departure of Luciano Spalletti, the previous title-winning coach, who has opted for a break on his Tuscany farm, but also with the potential departure of key players.
One player in particular, Victor Osimhen, the top scorer and standout striker of the 2022/2023 Serie A season, has become the focal point of fans’ concerns. Despite Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis repeatedly stating that Osimhen will stay, there remains a lingering uncertainty. De Laurentiis acknowledged that if an irresistible offer were to materialise, it would be considered.
Given Napoli’s stable financial position and lack of immediate need for funds, any potential transfer fee for Osimhen would need to surpass the Serie A record sale of Romelu Lukaku, which stands at €115 million. Adding to the apprehension surrounding Osimhen’s future is his history of injuries during his time in Italy. While he has shown improvement in terms of reliability, the Nigerian striker missed several crucial Champions League matches due to physical setbacks. Furthermore, doubts have been raised regarding whether Osimhen’s success in the previous season was influenced by the arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, last season’s MVP.
Some have cautioned Osimhen about the tide of history in counselling the 24-year-old to remain in Naples. Recent experiences with other top strikers leaving Italy, such as Ciro Immobile and Mauro Icardi, have not yielded favourable outcomes outside of Serie A, amplifying the cautionary sentiment among Napoli fans.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
