Napoli’s Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, was close to joining Real Madrid last summer , but the move never materialized. Manager Carlo Ancelotti recently outlined the reasons behind this decision, shedding light on why the club opted for a different direction.
Imagine Osimhen in the iconic all-white jersey of Real Madrid, celebrating a hat-trick at the Bernabeu. It was a tantalizing prospect last summer, as the club sought a replacement for Karim Benzema. However, the move was ultimately not pursued.
Osimhen was coming off a remarkable season, having won the Serie A Golden Boot and leading Napoli to their first league title since 1990, a period when the legendary Diego Maradona was the star. His impressive performance made him a prime target for top clubs across Europe.
In an interview with Radio Serie A, Ancelotti provided insight into why Real Madrid passed on signing Osimhen. “No, we did not sign Victor Osimhen because I think the club thought that Benzema’s absence could be remedied by purchasing Jude Bellingham,” Ancelotti explained.
The decision to sign Bellingham proved to be a masterstroke. The young English midfielder made an immediate impact, guiding Los Blancos to both La Liga and Champions League triumphs in his debut season.
While Osimhen’s potential move to Real Madrid was highly anticipated, the club’s focus on strengthening their midfield with Bellingham paid off.
![Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia has revealed why Nigeria cannot win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] tournament in Ivory Coast.](https://www.theathletic.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/i-300x180.jpg)
![Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia has revealed why Nigeria cannot win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] tournament in Ivory Coast.](https://www.theathletic.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/i-80x80.jpg)
