Napoli’s Victor Osimhen has faced a setback as the Serie A team has allocated his iconic number 9 jersey to their new signing, Romelu Lukaku. This decision comes after a period of intense transfer rumors and alleged disagreements with the club’s management. Osimhen, who played a crucial role in Napoli’s recent league victory, was a subject of interest for various top clubs. Despite interest from Al-Hilal and Chelsea, Osimhen remains with Napoli, leaving fans and analysts puzzled. The arrival of new Napoli manager Antonio Conte, who has a history with Lukaku, seems to have marginalized Osimhen in the team’s plans. Conte’s favoritism towards Lukaku is believed to be a significant factor in the decision to reassign Osimhen’s jersey number. Napoli had reportedly negotiated a deal with Al Ahli, but talks fell through when Napoli requested a higher fee, leading Al Ahli to opt for Ivan Toney from Brentford instead. The failed transfer has left Osimhen in a precarious situation, with suggestions that he might be benched until the next transfer window in January. This contrasts with Osimhen’s recent accomplishments, such as winning the African Footballer of the Year award and ranking 8th in the Ballon d’Or standings. Tensions between Osimhen and Napoli had been brewing, especially after a controversial video was released by the club’s TikTok account. Despite this, Osimhen extended his contract with Napoli until 2026 following a successful season.
Napoli hand Osimhen’s number 9 to Lukaku after transfer drama
