La Gazzetta dello Sport criticizes Napoli’s handling of Victor Osimhen’s transfer situation, with the Nigerian striker unavailable against Hellas Verona despite a lack of offers: “Conte can’t score goals.”

Antonio Conte’s Napoli will make their 2024-25 Serie A debut at Stadio Bentegodi on Sunday evening against Hellas Verona.
Giacomo Raspadori or Giovanni Simeone will start in attack, while Osimhen will not even go to the bench. The Nigerian striker is pushing to leave the Stadio Maradona, but no club has yet paid his €130 million release clause.
Chelsea and PSG are in talks with Napoli and their star striker, but they are  yet receive official offers.

“It is natural to ask whether Osimhen’s management of the club has been impeccable,” wrote Gazzetta dello Sport journalist G.B Olivero. “He must honor his promise to sell, as Conte said during his inauguration press conference, but without an offer and without real negotiations, because the club did not call a champion who, moreover, was paid a lot ?

Napoli have already identified Romelu Lukaku as Osimhen’s replacement, but Chelsea are unwilling to accept offers below €43 million.
“It wouldn’t be a problem if they already had a replacement, but Lukaku is still waiting for the green light, so Conte can’t start either the Belgian or the Nigerian, who could leave,” added Olivero. “Can they still win in Verona with Raspadori or Simeone? Of course they can, but Napoli must turn the page on the strength of results and a new project after a bitter season. The club has wisely chosen a coach who is used to to take on responsibilities that do not belong to him, but he cannot only recruit players or solve complicated situations like Osimheni. “Leaving Conte without a striker (and other players) for the start of the season is a negative signal for Napoli, who cannot afford a slow start and Conte cannot perform miracles or goals.”

Conte also complained about Osimhen’s transfer situation ahead of the match against Hellas Verona and admitted he expected a “better” Napoli.
The former Italian representative has signed a three-year contract at Stadio Maradona.