Napoli Makes Key Decision on Victor Osimhen After Failed Move to Chelsea

Napoli Makes Key Decision on Victor Osimhen After Failed Move to Chelsea

  • Chelsea and Victor Osimhen could not agree on personal terms on the transfer deadline day
  • Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli signed Ivan Toney despite agreement with Osimhen and Napoli
  • The Neapolitan club have now excluded the Nigerian striker from their squad for the season

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is out of Napoli’s project after seeing his proposed move to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia collapse on the summer transfer deadline day.

The striker had a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, which also offered Napoli a significant transfer fee, but his delay in making a decision let the club walk away.

Victor Osimhen looks dejected during AS Roma vs Napoli.
Napoli have excluded Victor Osimhen from their Serie A squad for the season. Photo by Cesare Purini.
Source: Getty Images

He waited on Chelsea until the final minute of the window, but he and the Premier League club could not reach an agreement over personal terms before the window closed.

Read also

Victor Osimhen: reasons striker’s proposed move to Chelsea collapsed

Victor Osimhen out of Napoli project

According to Deadline Day Live, Osimhen was not registered in Napoli’s squad for the 2024/25 Italian Serie A season. Thus, he will not play until at least January if he stays at the club.

Multiple reports in the Italian media claimed his relationship with the club is totally broken following the events of last night, where he was furious with the club for frustrating his move.

The exclusion also includes midfielder Mario Rui, whom Antonio Conte has communicated to that he is not in his plans and should find himself a new club.

Fans react to Osimhen’s treatment

Football fans, especially Nigerians, are displeased with the decision and have expressed their thoughts on social media.

@swagberg wrote:

“Napoli are vile club that deserved relegation this season.”

Read also

Victor Osimhen: Journalist Provides Update on Chelsea’s Salary Offer to Napoli Star

@52Fridays__ wrote:

“Unbelievable move by Napoli”

@henryojo56 wrote:

“They're at loss because he'll still be getting paid”

Why Osimhen's move to Chelsea failed

Legit.ng reported on why Osimhen's move to Chelsea failed on the deadline day, and the player is forced to remain in Naples at least for the next few days or months.

The salary offer proposed by the Premier League club is reportedly significantly less than what he currently earns in Italy, which he swiftly turned down.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Elijah Odetokun avatar

Elijah Odetokun (Sports Editor) Elijah Odetokun is a Nigerian sports editor at Legit NG. He has four years of working experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria (August 2020 - September 2020), OmaSports (December 2020 - June 2021), El Futbolero (July 2021; September 2021- November 2021), and Sports Brief (November 2022 - July 2024). He is a press conference and interview specialist and has attended trainings held by Reuters, AIPS, and FIJ. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture (2021) from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Reach me via elijah.odetokun@sportsbrief.com