Osimhen's transfer drama leaves him in limbo as deadline ends

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The tranfer drama of the Nigerian international football player, Victor Osimhen, may have reached its climax with no agreement between his club, Napoli, and the Saudi club, Al-Ahli, even as tranfer window closes at the weekend.

And to top this crusis Osimhen would appear to have been stripped by Napoli of the Nine shirt as it is now given to newly signed Romelu Lukaku.

Specifically, the new coach, Conte, has left out Osimhen from Napoli squad for the 2024-25 Serie A season.

Indeed, the Nigerian forward failed to get out of Napoli before the summer transfer window closed on Friday as his reported move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli collapsed at the last moment on the deadline day.

The Italian side, Napoli, was said to be demanding an extra €5million (£4m/$5.5m) on top of the €80m (£67m/$88m) that was offered, according to Sky Sports in Italy.

Had the deal gone through, Osimhen would have earned €40 million (£33.7m/$44.3m) per season for four years, however, it did not materialise as he stayed back at Napoli.

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.

The entire episode has destroyed the relationship between the club and the striker and he has now been excluded from Antonio Conte’s squad for the 2024-25 season Serie A season.

With Romelu Lukaku already having arrived to take his place at the Serie A side, the Belgian has now been handed the No.9 shirt which was previously worn by Osimhen.

The 25-year-old is now stuck in limbo with no transfer on the horizon and Conte apparently prepared to leave him frozen out of the team.