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

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

The 25-year-old looked set to join Chelsea on the transfer window deadline day, but for 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 alongside, in a bid to force an exit from Italy, but the move didn’t happen, leaving the Nigerian no choice but to continue his football journey with Napoli.

The manner with which Osimhen handled the situation angered the Napoli hierarchy. As a punishment, 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 maintained composure in 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,” Manni said in quotes revealed by Napoli Zone.

Napoli aren’t have won just one game under Antonio Conte this season.