Victor Osimhen's future at Napoli is a hot topic, with Italian pundit Giancarlo Padovan suggesting the club missed a golden opportunity to sell him last summer.
The Nigerian forward was a revelation in the 2022/23 season, firing Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years. His goalscoring exploits (26 goals in 32 matches) earned him the league's best striker award.
However, the following year was not as fruitful. Osimhen managed only 15 Serie A goals and a single strike at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, failing to replicate his earlier form.
Fatal miscalculation sees Osimhen value depleted
Despite Victor Osimhen's dip in form, Napoli held firm on their €130 million release clause, a price tag deemed unrealistic by potential suitors like Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain. No official offers have materialized, leaving Napoli in a predicament.
Padovan believes Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis made a strategic blunder by refusing to sell Osimhen last year.
“There won't be any offers for Osimhen,” Padovan declared to Sky Sport Italia via TMW. “He was supposed to be sold last year: another mistake by President De Laurentiis.
“When they offer you €100 million for one, you must not be greedy and say next year he will be worth 20 more, because that is not the case.
Victor Osimhen in limbo due to high wages
The hefty €10 million contract Napoli awarded Osimhen further complicates the situation.
“Now they find themselves with an Osimhen on their back and they don't know what to do with him, not because he has become a failure, obviously he is an important player, but in the meantime, they have given him a 10 million contract.
“This is a contract that Napoli cannot and does not want to tolerate,” Padovan suggested.
Napoli likely factored in a potential transfer when offering the contract, but the lack of substantial offers now leaves them stuck with a high-earning player and limited options.
“You don't make these calculations, you take the money, especially if it's a lot, in the year in which they offer it to you. The following year all the dynamics change.”
Osimhen has reportedly expressed his desire to play in the Premier League.
However, with Napoli's reluctance to lower their asking price and a lack of concrete offers, a move to England appears unlikely. Saudi clubs have shown interest, but whether Victor Osimhen would be keen on a switch to the Saudi Pro League remains to be seen.
