Napoli exclude Osimhen from the squad and take away his number

Napoli took the number nine (9) shirt from Victor Osimhen and gave it to Romelu Lukaku.

Napoli have officially excluded the Nigerian striker from their Serie A squad for the season, following the breakdown of negotiations and growing tensions between the player and the club.

The situation began to deteriorate after Napoli won the 2022–23 Serie A title, with Osimhen the league’s top scorer. Although he signed a contract extension in December 2023, including a €130 million release clause, tensions rose when new manager Antonio Conte, appointed in June 2024, favoured the signing of Romelu Lukaku, hinting at Osimhen’s possible exit.

As the end of the summer transfer window approached, Al Ahli and Chelsea emerged as the only serious contenders for Osimhen. Al Ahli reportedly offered €80 million for his services, along with a lucrative four-year contract worth €160 million, which Osimhen accepted. However, the deal fell through when Napoli demanded a higher fee, prompting Al Ahli to back out. At the same time, Chelsea failed to meet Osimhen’s wage demands, leaving the player in limbo.

With no deal in place, Osimhen remains at Napoli but is now excluded from the squad as both parties explore options for a solution. This saga leaves Osimhen’s future in uncertainty as the January transfer window could reignite interest in the striker.