Napoli face fresh scrutiny over Osimhen transfer

Napoli's big move for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is under investigation. The club's CEO, Aurelio de Laurentiis, along with other board members, are now under investigation for false accounting. 

This probe follows suspicions around the inflated values of players included in the Osimhen deal from Lille in 2020, a transaction reportedly worth €71.2 million. The investigation could lead to indictments, adding a twist to the saga of Osimhen's high-profile transfer.

Rome's prosecutors have closed the initial inquiry into the Osimhen transfer but have opened a new chapter by investigating Napoli and De Laurentiis for potential false accounting. The focus is on the valuation of the players traded as part of the deal.

Osimhen's arrival at Napoli was a headline-grabbing move, costing €71.2 million, including four players valued at €21 million. However, these players, including Luigi Liguori, Claudio Manzi, Ciro Palmieri, and goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis, have since faded from the mainstream football scene, raising questions about their valuation in the deal.

Meanwhile, Osimhen has dispelled any notion of leaving Napoli during the current January transfer window, dismissing speculation linking him to Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea. 

While the Super Eagles attacker re-affirmed his commitment to Napoli, he refused to rule out an exit in the future.