Former Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick has alleged that Napoli's poor treatment of Victor Osimhen was the reason he failed to move to a bigger club during the summer transfer window, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen joined Napoli in 2020 from Lille for a club-record €75million fee. And after a bad first season that was marred by injuries, the Super Eagles star picked up in his second season.
However, he reached the peak of his time there in the 2022/23 season, when he scored 26 goals to help the club win their first Scudetto title in years. His performance endeared him to the fans, and he was even compared to the legendary Diego Maradona.
Following his impressive showings, several clubs showed interest in signing him, but he opted to remain at Napoli and signed a new contract. Then the club slammed a €130 million price-tag on him.
Unfortunately, his relationship with the club got strained early last season, after the club shared a racist video, mocking him after a penalty miss in a serie A fixture against Bologna.
Nonetheless, the issue was sorted within the club and it was laid to rest. At the end of last season, it was clear that Osimhen was going to leave Napoli, but his next destination was unknown. He was linked to several top clubs in Europe like Arsenal, Chelsea, and PSG. Even Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli tried to tempt him with a big money package.
However Osimhen refused to leave Europe. Unfortunately for him, Chelsea, who were most interested were unwilling to meet his wage demands, causing the deal to fall through.
After his failed transfer, Napoli refused to accept the 25-year-old striker back. They even omitted him from their squad list. Hence, the Super Eagles star had to move to Turkish champions Galatasaray in a season-long loan to get playing time.
What did Amaju Pinnick say?
“I'm not limited to Nigeria, I'm global, so there are things I cannot say. But I can tell you emphatically that Osimhen served Napoli with his heart,” Pinnick told Arise News.
“Osimhen did what nobody did in 30 years. Osimhen singlehandedly won that league for Napoli after 30 years.
“Guess what, Osimhen won the African Footballer of the Year, his club did not post it on that day. It was two days after the club posted it. What does that tell you?
“Did they give him a guard of honor for winning the African player of the year? There are so many things that I cannot say, but Napoli was not fair to Osimhen
Before Osimhen's loan to Galatasaray, he penned a contract extension that will see his new deal expire in 2027. However, his release clause has been beaten down to €75 million.
If he performs well at Galatasaray this season, he will likely get his big move next year.
Hello! please check the beginning of your article, when you said Napoli is expected to leave Napoli for a big club next year..
Are you supposed to say Osimeh or what?