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Sports News of Saturday, 31 August 2024

Source: goal.com

Osimhen's relationship with Napoli 'completely broken' after failed move to Al-Ahli - Reports

Victor Osimhen Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen's relationship with Napoli has been totally destroyed following the club's role in the collapse of his transfer to Al-Ahli.

Osimhen had reached an agreement with Al-Ahli over a contract worth a reported €40 million (£34m/$44m) per season over the next four years, a total €160m. However, the transfer fell apart when Napoli demanded an extra €5m (£4m/$5.5m) on top of the €80m (£67m/$88m) the Saudi Pro League side had offered, Sky Sport in Italy reports, causing Al-Ahli to walk away from negotiations.

After seeing his proposed transfer fall apart, Osimhen and his agent reportedly reacted angrily, with the latter making furious phone calls to club president Aurelio De Laurentiis and sporting director Giovanni Manna, Arena Napoli reports.

It seems that the relationship between club and player have become so toxic that he will not be reintegrated to Antonio Conte's team, with Romelu Lukaku already having arrived to take his place at the Serie A side.

Osimhen had also been linked with a deadline-day transfer to Chelsea, but that deal has also been called off as the parties could not come to an agreement. A move to one of Europe's top five leagues is impossible with the transfer window closing on Friday and, while the Saudi window is open until September 2, Al-Ahli are not likely to return for the Nigeria international.

Osimhen, 25, is now stuck in limbo with no transfer on the horizon and Conte apparently prepared to leave him frozen out of the team, despite the 76 goals he has scored in 133 appearances for Napoli. He may have to hope another Saudi team will come in with an offer, or else he may be stuck without first-team football until the January window opens.