Sampdoria have suffered relegation to Serie C, with striker M’Baye Niang expected to depart the club following their dramatic drop to Italy’s third tier.
The Senegal international joined the Genoa-based side in the January transfer window, arriving from Moroccan outfit Wydad Athletic Club.
Since his arrival, Niang has featured in 16 matches, finding the back of the net three times. However, his contributions were not enough to prevent Sampdoria from sliding further down the Italian football hierarchy.
The club’s demotion caps a turbulent period for Sampdoria, who were once a mainstay in Serie A and even lifted the Scudetto in 1991. Having already endured relegation to Serie B last season, their swift descent into Serie C marks a significant fall from grace.
Financial instability, inconsistent performances, and a revolving door of managerial changes have all played a role in the club’s ongoing struggles.
As the team now faces the harsh reality of life in the third division, changes to the squad are already on the horizon. Niang, a seasoned forward with experience at major European clubs including AC Milan, Watford, and Rennes, is among the first expected to depart.
According to reports from Calciomercato, Sampdoria have no plans to retain the 30-year-old beyond the summer, and the player himself is believed to be seeking a move elsewhere.
Niang’s brief stint in Liguria was seen as an attempt to revive his career and provide Sampdoria with a much-needed attacking boost. Despite some flashes of quality, the team’s broader deficiencies rendered his impact limited.
His likely departure reflects the broader overhaul anticipated at the club, as management begins reshaping the squad to compete in the demanding environment of Serie C.
Relegation to the third tier also raises questions about Sampdoria’s financial and administrative future. Playing in Serie C carries significant commercial drawbacks, including lower broadcasting revenues and reduced sponsorship opportunities.
For a club already navigating precarious economic conditions, this could mean further budget cuts and an increased reliance on youth players and low-cost signings.
Niang, meanwhile, will likely attract interest from clubs across Europe and beyond, given his extensive top-flight experience and versatility in the attacking third. Whether he seeks another opportunity in Italian football or moves abroad remains to be seen, but his time at Sampdoria appears to be nearing its end.
As the dust settles on a dismal campaign, Sampdoria now faces the daunting task of rebuilding both on and off the pitch.
With supporters demanding accountability and direction, the club’s leadership will be under intense pressure to stabilise operations and mount a push for promotion at the earliest opportunity.
Niang’s expected exit is just one chapter in what promises to be a summer of sweeping change at a club now far removed from its former glory.
