Why Napoli President Will Face Trial Over Victor Osimhen Transfer
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is set to stand trial over allegations of false accounting linked to Victor Osimhen’s transfer from Lille in 2020.
Osimhen, who now plays for Galatasaray, joined Napoli five years ago in a deal that drew wide attention due to its high valuation. The transfer included goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis and three youth players — Claudio Manzi, Ciro Palmieri and Luigi Liguori — who were sent to Lille as part of the agreement.
Prosecutors allege that the valuations of the three young players were deliberately inflated to strengthen Napoli’s financial books during the deal. They claim the club used the players’ exaggerated worth to balance the transfer fee recorded for Osimhen, which was one of the most expensive signings in Napoli’s history.
Investigators believe the accounting method used in the deal may have breached financial regulations. Alongside De Laurentiis, long-time associate Andrea Chiavelli and the club itself have also been ordered to stand trial.
The legal proceedings are scheduled to begin on 2 December 2026.
The case has continued to attract attention due to Osimhen’s rise as one of Africa’s top forwards and the ongoing scrutiny of transfer dealings in European football.
