The transfer sagas involving two Nigerian stars, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, in Serie A have reignited debate over how Italian clubs manage high-profile outgoing players, particularly those involving African players.

Osimhen’s Napoli Exit: Stalled Promises and Prolonged Talks

Victor Osimhen, one of Europe’s most lethal strikers in recent years, recently completed a sensational €75 million move from Napoli to Galatasaray, setting a new transfer record in Turkish football. But behind the headline-grabbing fee lay months of drawn-out negotiations and behind-the-scenes tension.

Despite his instrumental role in delivering Napoli’s first Scudetto in over 30 years and his status as the 2022/23 Serie A top scorer with 26 goals, Osimhen’s exit was anything but graceful.

Napoli’s reluctance to adjust their high valuation, even amid interest from elite Premier League and Saudi Arabian clubs, reflected a deeper issue. In the end, the club accepted Galatasaray’s structured offer, which included staggered payments and a modest sell-on clause.

Reports emerged as early as mid-2024 that Osimhen had submitted a formal transfer request, seeking a fresh challenge beyond the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, confirmed the request in August 2024, stating:

“He asked to leave. We are calm because we have players in the squad who can replace him. However, we do not want to harm the integrity of the group.”

Many observers viewed the delay and uncertainty surrounding Osimhen’s departure as a case of poor exit strategy and underappreciation for a player who had delivered extraordinary results. The situation also fuelled wider criticism about how Napoli and other Italian clubs handle transfer exits, particularly when dealing with African players who possess massive market value.

Lookman’s Transfer Request and Broken Promises

Ademola Lookman’s stalled move from Atalanta to Inter Milan has become another glaring example of the transfer complications facing African players in Serie A, echoing the drawn-out saga of Victor Osimhen at Napoli.

Despite Inter Milan offering a reported €45 million and reaching personal terms with the Nigerian international, Atalanta stood firm, demanding no less than €50 million to sanction the deal. The club’s refusal has left Lookman deeply frustrated and feeling betrayed.

In a strongly worded statement posted on Instagram, the 27-year-old winger accused Atalanta of reneging on a prior agreement and treating him unfairly.

“After many months of broken promises and what I feel has been poor treatment towards me as both a human being and a professional footballer, I’ve decided to formally request a transfer,” Lookman wrote on his X account.

He went on to highlight his dedication over the past three years, which included leading Atalanta to their historic UEFA Europa League triumph.

“Winning the Europa League and celebrating with our fans in Dublin was one of the proudest moments of my career. But now, after three wonderful years in Bergamo, I feel it’s the right time to move on and embrace a new challenge.”

According to Lookman, there had been a clear understanding that he would be allowed to leave if a fair offer arrived, one he believes Inter had submitted.

“Despite now receiving an offer in alignment with what I believe had been discussed, sadly, the club are blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand.”

Lookman has since wiped all Atalanta-related content from his social media, a symbolic move that signals the breakdown in relations between the player and the club.

The standoff has sparked renewed debate around player autonomy and club power in Italy. Many see Atalanta’s stance as yet another example of rigid and opaque negotiation tactics, especially when it comes to players of African descent seeking upward moves in their careers.

A Pattern of Poor Communication?

These cases highlight a concerning pattern of poor communication and transparency in player-club dealings at certain Italian clubs. While protecting assets is a justifiable stance from a business perspective, an inflexible approach risks alienating talent and damaging reputations.

In both Osimhen’s and Lookman’s cases, the players took public stands, one through heartfelt farewell statements and the other through a formal transfer request, indicating their frustration with how negotiations were handled behind the scenes. (BusinessDay)