Napoli hand Osimhen’s number 9 to Lukaku after transfer drama

Serie A club Napoli has excluded Nigeria international Victor Osimhen from their matchday squad list following the transfer drama that took place on deadline day.

Netizens have been reacting to the treatment meted at Osimhen by the Italian giants as transfer expectations were not met on Friday.

Osimhen was set to join Chelsea but the deal could not be closed due to financial terms, according to reports.

Napoli had also agreed terms with Saudi Arabia club, Al-Ahli for the Nigeria striker, but later requested for more money, which also stopped the deal, according to reports.

Read Also: Osimhen to stay on at Napoli as Chelsea deadline-day move fails

Napoli are set to host Parma in their Serie A matchday three fixture today (Saturday) and the squad list has Osimhen excluded.

Meanwhile, the number 9 shirt, usually worn by the African best player, has now been transferred to new boy Romelu Lukaku.

As it stands, with the European transfer window closed, if no deal is coming from Saudi within the next three days, Osimhen will stay at Napoli and not be part of the first team squad.

Osimhen has already been invited to the Nigeria squad billed to face Benin Republic and Rwanda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers early next month