Ex Napoli Scout Aims Subtle Troll at Osimhen Amid Stellar Form for Galatasaray

Ex Napoli Scout Aims Subtle Troll at Osimhen Amid Stellar Form for Galatasaray

  • Victor Osimhen left Napoli to join Galatasaray on a season-long loan after missing out on top transfers
  • The Super Eagles star has started brightly for the Turkish champions but could be on the move again soon
  • A former scout for an Italian Serie A club has explained how he spotted Osimhen long before he joined

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A former scout for Napoli has opened up on how he spotted Victor Osimhen long before the club signed him in what looks like a sly dig at the striker.

Osimhen left the club temporarily and joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan after the Italians botched his proposed moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi club Al-Ahli and after a failed agreement with Chelsea.

Victor Osimhen, Napoli, Castel di Sangro, Naples, Italy, August 2, 2024.
Victor Osimhen training with Napoli a month before his Galatasaray loan move. Photo by SSC Napoli.
Source: Getty Images

As noted by Transfermarkt, the Nigerian has started brightly for the Turkish champions, notching three goals and five assists in his first six matches in the Super Lig and Europa League.

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Napoli scout aims dig at Osimhen

Former Napoli head scout Leonardo Mantovani appeared to have aimed a dig at Osimhen by claiming he did not fit the club's style of play when he was first spotted.

“I happened to see him in a Champions League match between Ajax and Lille,” he told Radio Napoli Centrale, as quoted by Tutto Napoli. “But, in reality, we were there to observe Ajax’s full-backs, Mazraoui on the right and Tagliafico on the left.
"When I got back, I made my report on the game and noted that there were two other strong players: one was Soumaré, a midfielder, and the other was Osimhen. This striker ran a lot, covering the entire area—maybe he even ran too much (he laughs). But he was truly unstoppable.”

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Galatasaray coach aims subtle dig at Napoli after Osimhen’s bright start in Turkey

Mantovani claimed the club overlooked him because he didn't fit their style, but he was considered after Gennaro Gattuso took over at the club. He helped the club win the 2022/23 Scudetto, their first in 33 years.

“The full-backs were strong, but I also noted that Osimhen wasn’t the player who fit our needs at that time,” he concluded.

Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli permanently next summer as he will not play for the club again, and Chelsea and other clubs are monitoring his situation at Galatasaray.

Galatasaray aims troll at Napoli

YEN.com.gh also reported that Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk aimed a dig at Napoli after Victor Osimhen's bright start on loan for the Turkish champions.

Buruk applauded the striker’s professionalism and leadership in the dressing room, a comment which opposed the negative public image presented by the Italians.

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Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Richard Nutakor avatar

Richard Nutakor (Sports Editor) Richard Nutakor is a digital media enthusiast with over 8 years of working experience in media and digital marketing. He's worked with notable media brands in Ghana like Media General, owners of TV3 Ghana, 3FM, Onua FM & Connect FM. He's also worked with Global Media Alliance as a Digital Account Manager. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Ghana in 2016 and a Masters in Brands and Communication Management from the University of Professional Studies, Accra. Email: richard.kekeli@sportsbrief.com