Conte rules out Osimhen from Napoli training and friendlies

Victor Osimhen’s expected departure from Italian Serie A club Napoli is one of the biggest headaches for the team’s new coach, Antonio Conte, as the team steps up preparations for the start of a new season. Own goal Nigeria.com reports.

Osimhen is expected to leave the club before the close of the summer transfer window and PSG are rumoured to be his next likely exit, but they are not open to paying the €120m release clause demanded by Napoli.

Talks have slowed due to the impasse, but it is a decision that is likely to come in the coming days judging by Conte’s actions at the team’s camp in Castel di Sangro.

Conte, just as he did when he began his preparation at Dimaro, has included Osimhen in his final preparatory camp despite the fact that he is expected to be sold before the start of the season.

However, he has limited the Nigerian to some athletic and tactical exercises, as well as personalised work in the gym. In recent days, Osimhen has not trained with the rest of the team, and was not even called up for the last match against Egnatia.

According to Calcionapoli24.it, this means that he has not played a single minute in the three pre-season games he has played under Conte’s instructions, indicating that his future lies outside the club, with Romelu Lukaku already having his place secured.

Lukaku has agreed a three-year contract to replace Osimhen and it is expected to become official when the Nigerian leaves the club as expected.

Daniel Martins