Victor Osimhen axed from Napoli’s Serie A squad for the season

Victor Osimhen has been formally dropped from Napoli's Serie A roster. Romelu Lukaku, a recent acquisition, will take Victor Osimhen's squad number going forward and wear the 9 shirt number in 2024–25. 

Following an incredibly tumultuous transfer deadline day in which he was unable to finalise a deal to Chelsea or Al-ahli in the Saudi Pro League, the Nigerian was cut from the team.  Osimhen's contract with Napoli runs through the summer of 2026, and his salaries are estimated to be about €10 million a season.

He had hoped to sign a massive four-year contract with Al-Ahli, which would have paid him an estimated €40 million a season, but the deal fell apart when Napoli demanded additional money for the transfer. In the end, Al-Ahli chose to sign Brentford's England international Ivan Toney. 

Osimhen and his representative reportedly reacted violently to the collapse of his intended transfer, with the latter initiating heated phone calls to Giovanni Manna, the sporting director, and president of the club Aurelio De Laurentiis, according to Arena Napoli.

Romelu Lukaku has already arrived to replace him at the Serie A team, suggesting that the player-club relationship has become so unhealthy that he is unlikely to be reintegrated into Antonio Conte's squad. The transfer window closes on Friday, making it difficult to go to any of Europe's top six leagues. Although the Saudi window remains open till September 2, Al-Ahli is unlikely to make a move for the Nigerian international.

Which other players have made Napoli's Serie A squad?

At the Stadio Maradona on Saturday night, Napoli will welcome Parma in a league match.  Lukaku, the new striker, is anticipated to start at the front, and Brighton transfer Billy Gilmour may be selected on the bench. Although he won't be present, Scott McTominay might make his debut versus Cagliari during the international break.

In order to make room for new players, Mario Rui was also taken off Napoli's roster; Michael Folorunsho comes back in his position.