Napoli chief admits he does not think Osimhen will join a Saudi club in the summer transfer window

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has ruled out Victor Osimhen joining a Saudi Pro League club before the close of the country's summer transfer window on Monday, September 2.

The Nigeria international has been excluded from Napoli's Serie A squad and his number 9 jersey taken from him and handed to Romelu Lukaku after proposed moves to Al-Ahli and Chelsea fell through on Friday.

After failing to reach an agreement with Napoli for the signing of Osimhen, Al-Ahli activated their Plan B by completing a deal for Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

The Napoli marksman had given the green light to a transfer to Al-Ahli, in a deal that would have made him the highest paid Nigerian player in history. 

Osimhen's transfer to Chelsea collapsed in the final hours of 'Deadline Day' because the reigning African Footballer of the Year was not willing to take a pay cut.

The 25-year-old had been destined to leave the Diego Maradona Stadium this summer despite signing a contract extension last December with a release clause of 130 million euros and the capture of Lukaku hinted at a last-minute move for the Nigerian.

In quotes relayed by Sky Sport Italia, Manna said: "Osimhen? The situation has been extremely clear since the end of last year and the start of pre-season. 

"Victor had expressed his desire not to stay in Naples: the market was complicated, we thought we had closed a deal but it didn't end well. 

"We have made important investments: we took Lukaku, Raspadori and Simeone remained. We are maintaining our consistent line, Osimhen has made other choices". 

"The market is still open, but I don't think Victor will go to Arabia in this transfer window."

Osimhen has been selected in the Nigeria squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches with Benin and Rwanda despite being inactive at Napoli since the start of the season. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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