Neapolitan drama: Osimhen's mood swings and Liverpool scouts put De Laurentiis in a state of frenzy

There are reports from England indicating Liverpool's interest in making a bid for Victor Osimhen. However, his agent has been spotted in discussions with Napoli directors regarding his new contract.

Osimhen's current contract with Napoli runs until June 2025. While negotiations for a new contract were on the verge of an agreement in recent months, they faced a setback. Part of the issue was related to a controversy arising from TikTok videos posted by the official Napoli account that Osimhen found offensive and insulting.

Laughing at Osimhen?! Napoli didn't just shoot themselves in the foot - they blasted it right off!

Jurgen Klopp sent scouts to watch Osimhen play during the international friendlies that saw Nigeria take on Saudi Arabia and Mozambique. This can be a precursor to Liverpool making an approach to sign the striker at the end of the season. Meanwhile, multiple Italian sources also note that agent Roberto Calenda was spotted having dinner near Naples with Napoli directors Maurizio Micheli and Mauro Meluso. The plans are to discuss the new contract or the next step in Osimhen's career.

The Nigerian hitman's future at Napoli is becoming increasingly uncertain, with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis hinting that the striker's "mood has changed". De Laurentiis drew comparisons with the sale of Kalidou Koulibaly.

Recent reports have indicated that Liverpool has entered the race to sign Osimhen, who is set to be a free agent in June 2025 and has not yet reached a new contract agreement with Napoli. De Laurentiis' comments indicate that the situation with Osimhen, which had appeared close to a resolution over the summer, has taken a different turn.

"I have never not been calm when it comes to Osimhen, but it takes two to tango. I remain the same, if his mood has changed, then there's not much I can do about that. If, after a handshake, things change, that is disappointing; we take it into account, but life goes on. We have a good rapport with him. His contract runs to 2025, so there is time. Don't forget I sold Koulibaly at the last minute."

Napoli apologizes to Osimhen without actually apologizing

Koulibaly, a beloved figure at Napoli, was transferred to Chelsea as his contract was approaching its final months, a transfer that left many Napoli fans saddened. Additionally, Osimhen expressed his frustration with the TikTok videos posted on the official club website a few weeks ago. Simultaneously, Napoli is facing their own frustration with Osimhen due to another injury he sustained while on international duty with Nigeria. It's a topic that De Laurentiis has often talked about in the years gone by, leaving many fans in Africa deeply annoyed.

"Since 2013, we have received a total of circa $5 million in reimbursement for the participation of our players in international games, despite the fact there were always at least ten players called up. This is no good. I think international duty should only be for players of a maximum of 22 years, so it gives them good practice and visibility. I also believe the clubs should be allowed to decide whether to release their players, especially if it is a friendly. If I paid $53 million for a player and he returns injured, they ought to reimburse the club for the cost of every day he is out of action. Just think about Neymar."

For example, Al-Hilal forward Neymar is out for the season after a severe knee ligament injury while playing for Brazil.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 9

Saturday

16.00: (5.90) Verona (3.90) Napoli (1.67)

19.00: (5.10) Torino (3.60) Inter (1.80)

21.45: (2.70) Sassuolo (3.35) Lazio (2.60)

Sunday

13.30: (1.75) Roma (3.70) Monza (5.40)

16.00: (1.80) Bologna (3.70) Frosinone (5.00)

16.00: (2.35) Salernitana (3.35) Cagliari (3.30)

19.00: (1.58) Atalanta (4.00) Genoa (7.00)

21.45: (2.35) Milan (3.35) Juventus (3.30)

Monday

19.30: (2.25) Udinese (3.30) Lecce (3.30)

21.45: (1.45) Fiorentina (4.40) Empoli (7.25)

***odds are subject to change***