Victor Osimhen, who is presently enjoying success at Galatasaray after a permanent €75 million transfer from Napoli, recently delivered an inflammatory interview (February 16, 2026). The Nigerian striker accused his former squad of treating him like "a dog," violating a gentleman's agreement, and impeding his move to Juventus.
Osimhen was the highlight of Napoli's 2022/23 Serie A title victory, scoring 26 goals. However, relations worsened rapidly. After extending his contract in late 2023 with a €130 million release clause, he claims the club turned down a "gentleman's agreement" to depart in the summer of 2024 for a top team.
Instead, Napoli loaned him out as tensions rose, including racial slurs from certain fans following a missed penalty, which he claims the club failed to protect him from. In protest, he deleted all Napoli-related items from his social media accounts.
The Juventus Snub and Raw Accusations
Osimhen stated that Juventus approached him personally via sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, with manager Antonio Conte wanting to bring him to Turin. "When Juventus calls, you listen," he said. However, Napoli appears to have blocked the transaction altogether.
What are his strongest words? "Napoli treated me like a dog.""Go here, go there... I'm not a puppet." He also claimed that the club incited fan hostility towards him, turning hero adoration into hatred.
The 27-year-old joined Galatasaray on loan in 2024, and the agreement was made permanent last summer. Napoli reportedly incorporated a condition that prevents him from joining any Italian team until 2027, assuring no short-term return.
Napoli has yet to comment formally, but this could spark a legal or fan backlash in Serie A.
Stay locked to DirectSports24 for Osimhen updates, Super Eagles news, and global transfers. Was this Napoli's mismanagement or Osimhen airing grievances? Share your thoughts below!