Has Victor Osimhen abandoned his agent after chaotic summer?
Victor Osimhen’s relationship with his agent, Roberto Calenda, appears to have deteriorated significantly following a chaotic summer transfer window that left the Nigerian striker’s future at Napoli uncertain.
According to trending reports, the tension between Osimhen and Calenda seems to have reached a breaking point, leading the striker to personally negotiate his move to Galatasaray, sidelining his agent in the process.
The first signs of trouble emerged when Calenda, despite his efforts, was unable to secure a transfer for Osimhen to high-profile clubs like Chelsea or Al Ahli.
Throughout the summer, Calenda was vocal in defending Osimhen’s stance, dismissing rumors of a loan move to Chelsea and rejecting the idea of a transfer to Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that Osimhen was not a commodity to be traded easily, highlighting his commitment to securing the best outcome for his client.
However, the roots of their current discord can be traced back to last year, when Calenda negotiated Osimhen’s contract renewal with Napoli, which included a hefty €130 million release clause. This clause proved to be a stumbling block in potential transfers, contributing to the collapse of moves to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Chelsea.
Osimhen’s frustration became more evident as he was left out of Napoli’s official squad for the season, signaling his growing disillusionment with both the club and his agent. Italian media outlets, such as La Gazzetta dello Sport via Tutto Napoli, mocked Calenda’s handling of the situation, suggesting that Osimhen had been treated like an unwanted package.
In a bold move, Osimhen reportedly took control of his transfer negotiations to Galatasaray, working with intermediary George Gardi instead of Calenda. This decision strongly suggests that Osimhen has severed ties with Calenda, marking a significant shift in his career as he prepares for a new chapter in Turkey.
Osimhen’s decision to move on from Calenda is not entirely surprising, given his history of changing agents. He has previously parted ways with agents like Jean-Gerard Benoit Czajka and William da Villa, who managed his earlier transfers to Wolfsburg, Charleroi, Lille, and Napoli.