Victor Osimhen excluded from Napoli’s Serie A squad, stripped of jersey number
Napoli have officially removed Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from their Serie A squad list for the 2024-25 season, escalating the tension between the club and its star forward.
This decision follows a series of failed transfer moves on deadline day, leaving Osimhen’s future in doubt as the club hands his iconic No. 9 jersey to new signing Romelu Lukaku.
Victor Osimhen’s exclusion comes after a tumultuous transfer deadline day, during which his attempts to secure a move to Premier League giants Chelsea or Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli collapsed. Despite being under contract with Napoli until 2026, the Super Eagles star now faces an uncertain season, with his prospects of playing time severely diminished.
Osimhen, who earns approximately €10 million annually, had been eyeing a lucrative transfer to Al-Ahli, where he would have earned €40 million per year over four years. However, the deal fell through after Napoli demanded a higher transfer fee, prompting Al-Ahli to pursue Brentford’s Ivan Toney instead.
With Osimhen out of favour, Romelu Lukaku is set to fill the void left by the Nigerian striker. The Belgian forward, who joined Napoli from Chelsea in one of the club’s most significant signings of the season, will wear the No. 9 shirt previously worn by Osimhen. Lukaku is expected to lead the line for Napoli as they prepare for their upcoming Serie A clash against Parma at the Stadio Maradona.
In addition to Osimhen, defender Mario Rui has also been removed from the squad list to make room for new signings. However, Nigerian-Italian midfielder Michael Folorunsho retains his place in the team. Other recent acquisitions, including Billy Gilmour from Brighton, could feature in upcoming matches, with Scott McTominay expected to debut after the international break.
As the relationship between Osimhen and Napoli continues to deteriorate, the striker’s future at the club remains bleak. With no immediate prospects of regular playing time and no resolution in sight, Osimhen risks spending the entire season on the sidelines, a scenario that could have significant implications for both his career and the Super Eagles as they prepare for upcoming international competitions.
