Napoli manager Antonio Conte has issued a stern warning to Victor Osimhen, confirming that the Nigerian striker has been exiled from the first team following the collapse of his potential transfer to Chelsea.
Chelsea made a concerted effort to sign Osimhen during the summer transfer window, but negotiations with Napoli hit a standstill, ultimately leaving the Premier League club without their target as the deadline passed. The main issue reportedly stemmed from Chelsea’s unwillingness to match Osimhen’s current salary or the lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli.
Despite the interest from Chelsea, Osimhen turned down their proposal, leading to a breakdown in talks and leaving Stamford Bridge officials frustrated. With the transfer window now closed, Osimhen remains a Napoli player, but Conte has made it clear that the striker is no longer in his plans.
This decision was underscored when Osimhen was left out of Napoli’s squad for their dramatic Serie A victory over Parma, where new signing Romelu Lukaku made an immediate impact by scoring.
READ MORE: Nigerian forward Isaac Success quits Udinese
Reflecting on the club’s transfer activity, Conte remarked, “Strong players have arrived from a market that was difficult and at times blocked. They came to fill the slots, and I’m happy with the work done by the club.” However, he added a pointed comment aimed at Osimhen: “Of course, if Osimhen had been sold, we would have completed the situation better.”
Conte’s remarks suggest that Osimhen’s future at Napoli is uncertain, potentially pushing the forward to reconsider a move to Saudi Arabia, especially as Al Ahli recently secured a deal for England’s Ivan Toney.
Meanwhile, Conte praised his squad’s resilience following their comeback win against Parma, acknowledging that while the team showed character, there is still room for improvement.
