‘I was forced to sign for Napoli while my father was dying’ – Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen has made a startling claim that his move from Lille to Napoli in 2020 occurred under intense pressure while his father was dying, describing the process as “brutal” and conducted without his full understanding or consent.

In testimony to Italy’s Guardia di Finanza — excerpts of which were leaked to La Repubblica — the 26-year-old striker alleged that Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis and CEO Andrea Chiavelli pushed for the transfer despite his personal crisis.

Osimhen joined Napoli for around €80 million, one of the most expensive deals in Serie A history, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My previous agent, Jean Gerard, had expressed serious interest from Napoli, but he was only interested in my transfer and not in my father’s health,” Osimhen said.

“At that time, I didn’t have the head to think about football; I just wanted to know how he was doing.”

The Nigerian international claimed he was summoned to Nice by his representatives, where he was informed that an agreement between Lille and Napoli had already been reached.

“Luis Campos and Lille president Gerard Lopez were also there. They told me I should move to Napoli, that there was already an agreement in principle and that, due to the pandemic, it was a good opportunity for Lille. But I knew nothing about it,” he revealed.

Osimhen said he felt deceived and heartbroken after learning that his father had died just as the deal was being pushed through.

“I was extremely angry with Lille and my agent because I hadn’t been able to see him before he died. They even told me I would have to leave for Naples the next day, without even realising my father’s death,” he said.

He eventually travelled to Naples but maintained that he was unaware of the contract’s details.

“I met with the coach, who explained the project to me, and the next day with De Laurentiis in Capri.

“He told me about the city and the club, but I didn’t understand what he was saying to Giuntoli because they were speaking in Italian. He asked me if I had seen the contract, but I hadn’t received anything.”