Napoli have officially removed Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, from their Serie A squad list, reallocating the No. 9 shirt to Romelu Lukaku with immediate effect.
This development was disclosed by the renowned football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, in a post shared on X.
Romano stated, “Napoli football club have officially excluded Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen from their Serie A squad list for the season!”
After an unsuccessful attempt to secure a transfer to either Chelsea or Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli on Friday, Osimhen has been left out of Napoli’s squad not only for their upcoming match against Parma but for the entire season.
Romano further revealed that the relationship between Osimhen and Napoli has deteriorated to the point of no return, following his failed move away from the reigning Serie A champions on the deadline day of the transfer window.
Throughout the summer, Osimhen was Chelsea’s primary target for the centre-forward position.
However, their last-ditch effort to sign him was unsuccessful. Similarly, Al-Ahli made a strong push to secure his signature on Friday.
However, with only one remaining international slot in their squad, the Saudi Pro League side opted to sign Brentford’s Ivan Toney instead, leaving Osimhen in an unexpected and precarious situation.
While it was initially thought that Osimhen would only miss Napoli’s match against Lecce, it has now been confirmed that the club has officially excluded the 25-year-old from their Serie A squad list for the entire season.
Additionally, Napoli has taken the drastic step of stripping Osimhen of his No. 9 jersey, handing it to Romelu Lukaku, whom they recently acquired from Chelsea.
Lukaku’s return to Italy reunites him with his former Inter coach, Antonio Conte, and he is now set to lead Napoli’s attack for the season, with Osimhen sidelined indefinitely.
Romano also highlighted that Osimhen remains intent on leaving Napoli, but only under conditions that suit him—a stance that may have contributed to the collapse of his summer exit.
Napoli’s response to the failed transfer has been firm. Despite Osimhen’s hefty €10 million annual salary, the club appears prepared to move forward without him, potentially marking the end of his tenure at the club after 133 appearances and 76 goals.
Romelu Lukaku, who had a previous stint at Chelsea, rejoined the club in 2021 but spent the last two seasons on loan—first at Inter Milan and then at Roma.
Returning to Serie A, Lukaku is poised to reignite his partnership with Conte, with whom he enjoyed significant success at Inter Milan.
Lukaku scored 47 goals in 72 Serie A matches under Conte’s guidance, leading Inter to the 2020-21 Serie A title, before being lured back to Chelsea in a high-profile €115 million transfer.
However, Lukaku struggled to replicate his Serie A form at Chelsea, netting just eight Premier League goals in his first season back.
Last season, he managed 13 league goals during his loan spell at Roma, along with seven additional goals as Roma advanced to the Europa League semifinals.
As Belgium’s all-time top scorer with 85 goals in 119 appearances, Lukaku’s arrival at Napoli signals a new chapter for both him and the club.
With several transfer windows still open but few clubs capable of affording Osimhen’s transfer fee, his future remains uncertain.
Although the Saudi Pro League’s transfer window remains open until Monday, Al-Ahli’s move for Ivan Toney has seemingly closed that avenue for Osimhen.
It remains to be seen if any other clubs will express interest in the Nigerian striker before the transfer window slams shut.
