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We have made our choice” – Napoli’s Sporting Director breaks silence on Osimhen’s first team ban.

Napoli signed Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea before England's transfer window closed, but Osimhen remains at the club.

Napoli’s Sporting Director, Giovanni Manna, has spoken about his club’s decision to axe Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, from Antonio Conte’s senior squad, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old looked set to join Chelsea on transfer deadline day, but the deal fell through due to a difference in salary expectations from both parties.

Osimhen had not trained with the Napoli senior team since the start of the month, missing their pre-season games in a bid to force an exit from Italy.

However, the move didn’t happen, leaving the Nigerian no choice but to continue his football journey with Napoli.

The manner in which Osimhen handled the situation angered the Napoli hierarchy. As a result, the 2023 Scudetto winners handed Osimhen’s number 9 jersey to Romelu Lukaku and banished the former LOSC Lille man from all first-team appearances.

Speaking in an interview with DAZN, Napoli’s Sporting Director remained composed about his side’s ability to cope without the 2023 CAF Player of the Year.

“We’ve made significant investments; we brought in Lukaku and kept Raspadori and Simeone, which wasn’t guaranteed. Right now, we are sticking to our consistent approach that we’ve had from the start. Victor has expressed his desire not to play for Napoli, and we have made other choices. The market is still open, there are many options, but I don’t think Victor will be going to Saudi Arabia in this transfer window,” Manna said in quotes revealed by Napoli Zone.

Osimhen, having missed yesterday’s Napoli clash against Parma, seems to have lost his place in Conte’s first-team squad. It is unclear if he will be given time to play in the rest of Napoli’s games this year.

enimoli:
I wonder who is advising Osimhen. I pray this will not be the end of his playing career

Great100000:
The manner in which Osimhen handled the situation angered the Napoli hierarchy. As a result, the 2023 Scudetto winners handed Osimhen’s number 9 jersey to Romelu Lukaku and banished the former LOSC Lille man from all first-team appearances.

Mjshexy:
I hope this will not stop his weekly wages even if he doesn't kick a ball for Napoli

AfonjaMozlem:
Osimhen is losing nothing

He gets paid
Napoli won't win Serie A
He will play well for his country
A desperate top club will come for him in January because nobody doubts his quality


The problems here are human - transfer fee, salary, pride, stubbornness - from both parties.

Omega50:
My final year first semester exams start tommorow and I'm still without my exam card. Someone pls help me with 3k to get it Pls. I'm really worried

sulaak:
If he refuses to play for Napoli, he will not get paid.

The good news is that Osihmen has not said anything negative about Napoli, and the suggestion that he will not play for Napoli has come from the Napoli officials, not from Osihmen.

The bad news is that Oishment signed a three-year extension with Napoli last year, protecting Napoli's interests. This is poor judgment on Osihmen and Napoli because Napoli still has two years left of the contract, and that means that they owe him.

sulaak:

If he refuses to play for Napoli, he will not get paid.

The good news is that Osihmen has not said anything negative about Napoli, and the suggestion that he will not play for Napoli has come from the Napoli officials, not from Osihmen.

The bad news is that Oishment signed a three-year extension with Napoli last year, protecting Napoli's interests. This is poor judgment on Osihmen and Napoli because Napoli still has two years left of the contract, and that means that they owe him.

Quelme:
I hope this proud and arrogant Osimhen can go on Instagram to lash out at Conte and the Napoli supporters same way he abused Nigerians and ex national team coach, Finidi.

AfonjaMozlem:
Osimhen is losing nothing

He gets paid
Napoli won't win Serie A
He will play well for his country
A desperate top club will come for him in January because nobody doubts his quality


The problems here are human - transfer fee, salary, pride, stubbornness - from both parties.

enimoli:
I wonder who is advising Osimhen. I pray this will not be the end of his playing career

Quelme:
I hope this proud and arrogant Osimhen can go on Instagram to lash out at Conte and the Napoli supporters same way he abused Nigerians and ex national team coach, Finidi.

MrPOTUS:
Na only money una sabi,


His career is gone, he won't be d same after the end of this season, his market value will crash.


Foolish arrogant player.