September 01, (THEWILL) – Victor Osimhen’s situation at Napoli has taken a significant downturn following a dramatic end to the summer transfer window. After failing to secure a move to either Chelsea or a Saudi Pro League club, Osimhen now finds himself excluded from Napoli’s Serie A squad for the 2024/2025 season. His relationship with the club has reportedly soured, leading to his omission from the team’s plans under new coach Antonio Conte.
The saga began with Osimhen holding out for a potential transfer to Chelsea but negotiations broke down over personal terms. Simultaneously, a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia was on the table but the limited time to agree on terms led to the collapse of that deal as well. Napoli, displeased with the way the situation unfolded, decided to freeze Osimhen out of the squad, leaving the striker in limbo until at least January 2025.
This move by Napoli has been met with widespread criticism, particularly from fans who feel the club has mishandled the situation. Many believe that Napoli’s hardline stance could backfire, especially since Osimhen is still under contract and will continue to be paid despite not playing. The situation has also raised questions about Osimhen’s future, with some speculating that a resolution might not be reached until the January transfer window.
Osimhen’s exclusion from the squad not only impacts his career but also leaves Napoli without their top striker from the previous seasons. The team has struggled to get results so far and needed a last-minute Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa goal to beat Parma on Saturday. The club’s decision has sparked debate over the management’s handling of player relations, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the team’s performance in the coming months.
This situation marks a low point in what had been a successful period for Osimhen at Napoli. The striker, who was instrumental in Napoli’s successes in recent years, now faces an uncertain future. Both parties will need to navigate the next few months carefully to avoid further damage to their relationship. Also, Conte will face immense pressure if the team does not get maximum points from matches between now and January.
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.
