Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has explained why he turned down a massive €200 million proposal for Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Speaking to Corriere della Sera, De Laurentiis revealed that he refused to cash in because of a commitment he had made to new head coach Antonio Conte, according to The Port City News Sports.
“Over €200m was offered for Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia together,” the Napoli boss disclosed. “I could have accepted, but I had already promised Conte that they would stay. I didn’t want to go back on my word. The plan, if I had sold, was to bring in Viktor Gyökeres.”
The film producer turned football chief went on to clarify that Kvaratskhelia’s later switch to PSG in January for €75m became unavoidable due to pressure from the winger’s agent, who threatened to invoke FIFA’s Article 17 to force an exit.
“We tried to renew his contract immediately after his extraordinary debut season, offering him a significant pay rise,” De Laurentiis said.
Also Read: http://Arsenal Agrees To Sign Eberechi Eze
“But his representative, Mamuka Jugeli, stalled negotiations, made unreasonable demands, and even accused former sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli of failing to honor past agreements. In the end, I had no choice but to let him go.”
Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia were at the heart of Napoli’s unforgettable 2022/23 Scudetto triumph, which ended the club’s 33-year wait for a league title. Osimhen claimed the Capocannoniere award as Serie A’s top scorer, while Kvaratskhelia was crowned the league’s MVP.
However, both stars have since left the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Kvaratskhelia completed his €75m move to PSG, while Osimhen joined Galatasaray on a permanent deal for the same fee after an initial loan spell.
