Napoli coach Antonio Conte has underscored the club’s commitment to consistency in managing the situation with Victor Osimhen, confirming that the Nigerian forward will not be reintroduced to the first team. This statement came during a press conference following Napoli’s 2-1 victory over Parma at the Stadio Maradona on Saturday night.
Osimhen, who has been excluded from Napoli’s Serie A squad, was a central figure in the summer transfer saga. Throughout the transfer window, he was linked with potential moves to Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Al-Ahli. Despite these discussions, none of the negotiations resulted in a deal that satisfied both Osimhen and Napoli. Consequently, Romelu Lukaku was signed from Chelsea for €30 million, taking over the No. 9 jersey at Napoli.
Conte reflected on the difficulties of the transfer window, describing it as “tough” for the club. He noted that unresolved issues surrounding Osimhen possibly hindered Napoli’s ability to complete their team earlier and more effectively. “Some issues blocked the transfer; perhaps if we had resolved the Osimhen situation, we would have completed the team differently and sooner,” Conte remarked.
Although Napoli did not receive funds from Osimhen’s sale, they managed to secure Lukaku’s transfer, which Conte acknowledged as a significant achievement despite the financial setbacks. He expressed regret about the outcome, stating, “I’m sorry about what happened. I’m sorry for Osimhen, for the club that didn’t monetize, and for myself because we didn’t complete the team as we wanted. But the club remained consistent in this situation.”
Conte emphasized the importance of consistency and respect for club decisions, particularly in challenging circumstances. He praised Napoli’s adherence to its principles, stating, “Coherence is the starting point when it comes to respecting the rules. The club proved consistent, and I praise them for this attitude.”
When questioned about the possibility of reintroducing Osimhen or other players like Mario Rui, who are also not part of the current Serie A squad, Conte was firm: “No, this is the team. This is the group. We made decisions based on consistency and respect for the club.” He reiterated that maintaining respect for the club’s decisions was crucial, acknowledging that if the Osimhen situation had been resolved sooner, it might have benefited everyone involved.
Conte concluded by acknowledging the club’s efforts in rebuilding the team, despite the challenges. “We’ve started rebuilding. Good players arrived. It took us time to understand and think about it, but we signed them, and I am happy. We didn’t do everything, but I think the club did well.”
SOURCES
- https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/09/im-sorry-for-osimhen-wont-be-reintegrated-to-first-team-napoli-coach-conte/
- https://football-italia.net/conte-napoli-consistent-osimhen-no-reintroduce/
