Antonio Conte, the new head coach of Napoli, has expressed his regret over the failed transfer of Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian striker who was expected to leave the club this summer. Despite strong interest from Chelsea, the move did not go through due to contract disagreements.
Osimhen, who has been a key player for Napoli, found himself at the center of transfer rumors throughout the summer. Chelsea was keen on securing a loan deal for the striker, but negotiations hit a roadblock over Osimhen’s contract demands. As a result, the transfer was not finalized, leaving both the player and the clubs involved disappointed.
Following the failed move, Napoli decided to leave Osimhen out of their squad list for the season, suggesting that Conte does not currently see him as part of his plans. Addressing the situation, Conte acknowledged the challenges faced during the transfer window and expressed sympathy for Osimhen.
“Some issues blocked it; perhaps if we had unlocked that [Osimhen] situation, we would have completed the team differently and earlier. I’m sorry about what happened. I’m sorry for Osimhen. I’m sorry for the club that didn’t monetize. I am sorry for myself because we didn’t complete the team as we wanted, but the club proved to be consistent in this situation,” Conte stated.