Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has claimed that Victor Osimhen’s impending departure from the Serie A club is due to his financial demands, amid continued links to Manchester United and other top European clubs.
Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, was strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford during the January transfer window. Reports suggested that United were willing to offer Alejandro Garnacho in a swap deal to secure the Nigerian striker’s signature, but that move never materialised.
Now, with Osimhen expected to leave Napoli permanently this summer once his loan spell ends, Manna has drawn comparisons between his contract situation and that of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who left mid-season after seeking a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
“The same thing happened with Osimhen in the summer,” Manna told Tutto Napoli. “It’s not right to go beyond our parameters, to overvalue a player, or to make wrong decisions. There are clubs that can do things we cannot, and that is fair, given our history and values.”
Manna insisted that Napoli remain financially stable and will not make rash financial moves to appease fans.
“We have demonstrated this with Osimhen and beyond. We are solid, profitable, and we are not in debt. If we have to make moves just to please the fans, that’s not who we are.”
With a £62 million price tag reportedly enough to secure Osimhen’s services this summer, United and other suitors could yet make a move. However, Manna’s comments suggest that Osimhen’s wage demands could be a stumbling block, making it challenging for clubs to fit him into their salary structure despite his obvious quality.
