Napoli's director of football, Cristiano Giuntoli played a pivotal but unconventional role in securing the signing of Victor Osimhen from Lille in 2020, beating out competition from Liverpool, Soccernet.ng reports.
Giandomenico Costi, a former collaborator of Giuntoli, revealed an intriguing behind-the-scenes story, indicating that Giuntoli “locked” Osimhen inside a hotel for three days to persuade him to join Napoli and reject Liverpool's advances.
Costi, who had previously worked closely with Giuntoli for almost nine years, described the signing of Osimhen as Giuntoli's “biggest masterpiece.”
After excelling at Lille, where he spent only a season and smashed 18 goals and added six assists in 38 games, Osimhen became the toast of several of Europe's top sides.
Aware of Liverpool's interest and Jurgen Klopp's pursuit of the player, Giuntoli engaged in extensive discussions with Osimhen, utilising the three-day hotel stay to convince the talented forward to choose Napoli.
Giuntoli's relentless energy and dedication to the negotiations were highlighted by Costi, who emphasized the director's frequent communication throughout the process.
“The signing of Osimhen is Giuntoli’s biggest masterpiece,” Costi told Tuttosport, as per Football Italia.
“He [Osimhen] was locked in a hotel for three days. Giuntoli knew Liverpool were interested, and Jurgen Klopp had made his move, but Cristiano spoke to Osimhen in the hotel for three days until he convinced him to accept Napoli.
“He was full of energy. Giuntoli is a director who would call you 100 times a day.
“He knew Victor very well; he had even followed him at Charleroi.”
The successful acquisition of Osimhen proved to be a significant move for Napoli, as the Super Eagles striker contributed an astonishing 23 goals to their triumph in securing their first Serie A title in 33 years.
The 24-year-old is again back on the radar of the continent's richest clubs, with Chelsea, Real Madrid, and PSG all credited with an interest in the Napoli ace.
