Manna: I don’t think Osimhen is going to Saudi Arabia or return to Napoli squad

Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna does not think Victor Osimhen will still go to Saudi Arabia with just three days left for the transfer window to close in the oil rich country.

Osimhen had his move botched by Napoli who demanded more money from Al Ahli after the two clubs had initially agreed on a deal and the Saudi Pro League side had also reached agreement on personal terms and others with the Nigerian.

Manna has however told DAZN before the kickoff of Napoli’s Serie A game against Parma that he was not sure Osimhen will still go to Saudi Arabia and also hinted the player has no role to play in Antonio Conte’s squad for the 2024/25 season.

‘The transfer market is still open, there are many options, but I don’t think Victor will go to Saudi Arabia in this transfer market session,’ said Manna who also shut the door on the 25 year’s old return to the Napoli team.

“The situation is very clear, since the end of last season. Victor expressed the absolute desire not to stay in Naples, not to play for Napoli, and we tried to go along with him.

‘Then there is a supply and a demand, we thought we had concluded a negotiation, but it did not go well. We acquired Lukaku, kept Raspadori and Simeone and it was not taken for granted. At the moment we maintain our line of consistency held from the beginning: he has expressed the desire not to play for Napoli and we have made other choices,’ he said.