It’s all coming home to roost for Victor Osimhen as Napoli’s new coach Antonio Conte has said that the Nigeria International striker must have the right attitude to remain at the Serie A side.
The 25-year-old Osimhen has been subject of intense transfer speculation over the last few months with potential links to some of the biggest clubs in Europe including Chelsea, PSG amongst others.
But interest in the player has since waned after Napoli pegged his transfer fee to a mind-blowing €120 million Euros even more so after the player’s petulant rant against former Super Eagles coach Finidi George.
Speaking specifically about Osimhen at the team’s pre-season training camp in Dimaro on Saturday, Conte reportedly described the Nigerian as ‘ a top player’, adding he must continue to work hard with the right attitude to continue his career at Napoli.
Conte added: “We are talking about Victor as a professional, an excellent, top player.
“I spoke to him and he knows that absolutely nothing has changed. He belongs to Napoli and he knows that those who belong to Napoli have to work hard and have the right attitude, even if there is this sort of agreement, that we still don’t know how it will end.
“He’s here with a smile, and what counts at the moment is the training this afternoon and the attitude with me and my colleagues.”
Conte insisted there were no major developments over a potential transfer for Osimhen, adding that there is a sort of ‘agreement’ linked to the 25-year-old’s possible departure.
Though the Nigeria international has been widely tipped for a move away from the Stadio Maradona this summer, Napoli have not yet received any sort of formal proposal from any club.
Napoli would, of course, need to sell Osimhen first if they are to acquire some of their other attacking targets this summer, such as Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku.
Explaining the situation surrounding Napoli’s transfer window, Conte said: “After my signature, the most difficult thing was to realign the whole situation and put Napoli back in the centre of all the important business.
“The situation now allows us to stay one step ahead thanks to everyone here, the club and thanks to the players who have understood. I expressed myself very clearly and with a vision that is hard to go against. Now the club is back in the spotlight.”