"We made our choices" - Antonio Conte sends clear message to Victor Osimhen after Chelsea target was banished from Napoli squad
New Napoli manager Antonio Conte has addressed the possibility of striker Victor Osimhen's future with the club following an unsuccessful transfer attempt. Conte has cast uncertainty on the future of the Nigerian forward at the club amid the complexities of his recent transfer saga.
Osimhen had been the subject of intense speculation throughout the transfer window, with Chelsea emerging as a key suitor. Despite substantial interest from the Premier League giants, the transfer didn't materialise, leaving Osimhen in a precarious position with his current club.
Conte emphasised the clarity of his position on the matter:
“No player will be reintegrated. Those who are out of the project will remain out of the project. We made our choices and work in one direction all together”.
Conte’s comments on Victor Osimhen's situation come on the heels of speculation that Napoli and the Nigerian forward are working toward reconciliation after the 25-year-old failed to secure a move away on the summer transfer deadline day.
Osimhen’s situation at Napoli was further complicated following the arrival of Romelu Lukaku, and Conte considers the Belgian an important part of his project. Apart from being excluded from the team, Osimhen had his shirt number stripped, as Napoli gave it to Lukaku.
Antonio Conte reflects on transfer window challenges, Victor Osimhen situation and Napoli
After Napoli’s 2-1 victory against Parma in Serie A, Antonio Conto was asked a lot of questions in the post-match conference.
One of them was his take on how the transfer window went for Napoli, especially the Victor Osimhen situation, telling Tutto Napoli:
"It was very difficult for us, blocked until the last minute due to vicissitudes. If that Osimhen situation had been resolved earlier we would have completed it, but the club worked. There was an effort from everyone. I have to be happy with the effort made.
"I'm sorry for the player, because it's a shame but I'm also sorry for the club that didn't cash in. I'm also sorry for me because we didn't complete what we had to complete, but the club showed great consistency. I have to praise the behavior, hats off to the club".
In their third Serie A match of the season Lukaku came off the bench to equalise in the second minute of stoppage time before Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa won it four minutes later. Napoli will next be in action against Cagliari on September 15.