Napoli manager discusses Osimhen future as Italian Officer threatens to arrest Eagles star

Napoli coach Rudi Garcia assured that Victor Osimhen ‘wants to stay’ with the club and touched on their plans for the summer transfer window.

The Partenopei have started their pre-season training camp in Dimaro, ready to start working towards the 2023-24 season, which kicks off next month.

Napoli has been a little quiet in the early stages of the summer transfer window, having lost sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli to Juventus. Kim Min-Jae is on the verge of being sold to Bayern Munich but other stars like Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are not expected to leave.

Speaking in a press conference via TMW, Garcia was first asked if he’d look to bring any of his old players to Napoli.

“Maxime Lopez, I gave him his debut, he has a great personality. But he’s not someone who will join our team because he’s not the profile we’re looking for.”

 

He touched on the future of Osimhen.

“Of course, I have spoken to him. I can assure you that he wants to stay, he is happy to be with us and still wants to do great things.”

The Napoli coach was asked about the resignation of athletic coach Francesco Sinatti.

“I offered him to stay with us, putting him on the same level as Rongoni, but after reflection, he told me that he didn’t feel like staying and that he had no energy.

“It’s a shame because I know there is quality at this club, there are people who know the players and can buy us time. But I respect his decision.”

Garcia discussed Napoli’s work to find a replacement for Kim.

“A coach wants to have a full squad as soon as possible, but that is a dream. We have time to find a new center-back.

“The club has been working on it for a while, we have options, but we want to be as safe as possible. So, we evaluate. Then there is also the economic aspect. I’m in no hurry because I have three.”

He spoke about the mindset of the squad at the training camp.

“They are all attentive, all motivated, today there have already been a few duels and a good rhythm. It means they’re hungry.

“From the youngsters I expect it, they want to show me something. I can’t wait for the national team players to arrive and for us to be full.”

Garcia discussed what Napoli’s Scudetto win means.

“Napoli won their third Scudetto 33 years after the second. In 2011 I won the title and the French Cup – after 52 years one and 55 the other – at Lille, so I know that winning in these conditions is wonderful.

“We are Italian champions, we have to show it on the pitch. I have to work right away on the players’ heads to maintain the level we had last year, a high level. I know what kind of performance they can have, last year they raised the bar, so I expect the bar to stay there.”

Meanwhile, Italian police commissioner Maurizo Improta has warned that Osimhen would be arrested and handcuffed if he goes ahead to join a new club against the wishes of the Parthenopean fans.

Last season, Osimhen’s goals powered Napoli to their first league title in 33 years. A feat that saw him attain a hero status in the city of Naples with fans and teammates keen on him to stay at the club longer than the remaining years of his deal. Talks over an extension will resume when he returns for pre-season this weekend, but one man who is not ready to terms with the fact that the Nigeria international is proving stubborn to sign a new contract in order to pave the way for his exit this summer is police commissioner Improta.

“Would I arrest Osimhen? No, for heaven’s sake. But I would put him in handcuffs to keep him at Napoli for life. I would tie him to the opponents' goal, so as to always find him in a position close to goal,” the Trento police commissioner jokingly said to Courier dello Sport.