‘He decided not to play’ – Napoli confirm no plans to reintegrate Osimhen into squad

Napoli has confirmed that Victor Osimhen will not be returning to their first-team squad.

This follows the breakdown of transfer negotiations between interested clubs.

Napoli’s director, Mauro Manna, revealed that Osimhen decided not to play for the club anymore last year.

“Osimhen decided not to play for our club anymore last year,” Manna stated. “We tried to help, but the deal didn’t happen. The plan on both sides remains to part ways.”

Manager Antonio Conte echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that there are no plans to reintegrate Osimhen into the squad.

“No player will be reintegrated,” Conte asserted. “Those who are out of the project will remain out. We made our choices and work in one direction all together.”

GistReel Sport reported that Osimhen, who was expected to leave Napoli on Deadline Day, saw moves to both Chelsea and Al Ahli collapse at the last minute.

Chelsea delegates were reportedly in Naples until the final moments of the transfer window, but a deal could not be reached.

Meanwhile, Al Ahli opted to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford, despite initially agreeing to buy Osimhen.

With the transfer window now closed, Osimhen remains at Napoli, but his future with the club appears bleak.

The Nigerian striker no longer features on the club’s official website, and his shirt number has already been handed to new signing Romelu Lukaku.