“I’m Sorry”: Napoli Manager Antonio Conte Sends Message to Victor Osimhen Over Loan Move
- Victor Osimhen has joined Turkish club Galatasaray on loan, and Napoli boss Antonio Conte has apologised to the striker
- Conte had frozen out the Nigerian international from his squad, prompting him to seek top football elsewhere
- The Italian manager emphasised that Napoli as a club proved consistent, suggesting that rules have to be respected
Napoli manager Antonio Conte has apologised to Nigerian international Victor Osimhen, who is on a season-long loan move at Galatasaray.
Osimhen was the major subject of the summer transfer window; however, all available deals for the player collapsed.
The former Lille of France striker was on the verge of joining Chelsea on the transfer deadline day, but negotiations somehow fell apart.
Source: Getty Images
Many also touted the 25-year-old to take up the mega-money offer from Saudi club Al Ahli, but nothing was agreed at the last minute.
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Osimhen, who had been frozen out of the Napoli squad, went on to agree on a season-long loan deal with Turkish club Galatasaray after Conte reiterated that no player would be reinstated.
According to The Cult of Calcio, the manager has since apologised. Conte said:
“Some issues blocked it; perhaps if we had unlocked that [Osimhen] situation, we would have completed the team differently and earlier
"I’m sorry about what happened. I’m sorry for Osimhen. I’m sorry for the club that didn’t monetize.
"I am sorry for myself because we didn’t complete the team as we wanted, but the club proved to be consistent in this situation.
“Coherence is the starting point when it comes to respecting the rules. The club proved consistent, so I praise them for this attitude."
Victor Osimhen's journey in Napoli
The striker moved to Napoli in the summer of 2020 for a club-record fee of an initial €50 million plus add-ons from French Ligue 1 side Lille, Euro Sports reports.
Despite injury and COVID-19 problems, Osimhen scored 10 goals in 30 appearances for the Partenopei in his first season.
He then netted 18 goals in all competitions during the 2021-2022 season before leading the club to their first Serie A title in more than three decades two seasons ago.
Osimhen scored 26 league goals for Napoli and inspired them to the Scudetto, as he also won the top scorer's award.
Despite scoring 17 goals in 32 matches for the club last season, the 25-year-old tendered his transfer request at the club, as he became the most sought-after striker in the summer transfer window.
Osimhen's agent aims dig at Napoli
Legit.ng Victor Osimhen's agent, Roberto Calenda, subtly aimed a dig at Napoli following the striker's departure from the club.
The Nigerian forward, who recently completed a loan move to Galatasaray, was a central figure during the summer transfer window.
The renowned football agent posted a congratulatory message that subtly referenced the forward's transfer saga with Napoli.
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Source: Legit.ng
