Tensions are high in the Napoli dressing room, with star players Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia caught in an ugly and unfortunate altercation. The two players were two of the best in Italy as Napoli cruised to a historic Serie A win. But this season has already seen the team fall into division.
Osimhen faced a horrible situation with the club’s social media mocking him, which led to a rift between him and the team. However, he repaired that by signing a new long term contract, even though outside clubs were interested in him. However, he has now found himself in another controversy with a teammate’s agent involved.
Roberto Calenda fires back at comments regarding Osimhen’s future
Victor Osimhen was linked to many clubs in the summer and this January transfer window, but the Nigerian instead signed a new contract at Napoli until 2026. It also contains a huge release clause of $144 million. He was also rumored to join the Saudi Pro League previously, though he said he didn’t want to go there.
Recently, Osimhen’s teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who is himself one of the stars of the team and highly wanted by foreign clubs, saw his agent create some chaos. The midfielder’s representative Mamuka Jugeli gave an interview earlier this week, and claimed that Osimhen was going to move to the Saudi Pro League in the next summer transfer window. Not only that, but he suggested that Kvicha was more ambitious than Osimhen as well.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s agent, Mamuka Jugeli: “Osimhen signed a new contract, but do you really think he will spend his entire career at Napoli? I can already tell you he will go to Saudi Arabia next summer.
— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) January 10, 2024
Napoli have raised his salary, but Khvicha would not accept such a… pic.twitter.com/3wqOpItKBv
Obviously, this did not sit well with Victor Osimhen and his camp, who were outraged to hear fake claims from another player’s agent, especially one that is in the same team as him. After the player himself attacked the agent on his social media, the striker’s agent Roberto Calenda has also joined in.
He set the record straight in a statement, “The alleged words of agent Mamuka Jugeli are bad, superficial and unacceptable. These words create problems for my player Victor Osimhen with Napoli fans without any reason or real of the reality.”
“We have just signed a contract renewal and Victor’s only wish, in addition to the Africa Cup of Nations, is to help Napoli. Everything else is rubbish.”
Victor Osimhen’s agent emphasizes the need for respect in transfer discussions
Roberto Calenda also spoke about the need for respect and the absence of rumors in transfer related matters. It is clear that he and his player, Victor Osimhen, were deeply angry at the alleged fake statements. He emphasized the need for respect in relation to other players and to not interfere in others’ matters.
He said, “Everyone must look into their own home and have respect for the work of others. It is not correct to talk about the future of other players. This creates misunderstandings and problems as well as unfortunate predictions.”
🚨🔵 Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda released an official statement on Kvaratskhelia’s agent quotes.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 10, 2024
“Everyone must look into their own home and have respect for the work of others. It is not correct to talk about the future of other players”.
“This creates misunderstandings… pic.twitter.com/MHpuUBhBp3
In recent times, Osimhen has been linked with many clubs, especially after the ruckus he had with Napoli’s social media team. He was heavily linked to Chelsea, but the new contract means that he will stay. With all the rumors regarding the player, his agent’s emphasis on respect shows how tired they are of the rumors.
Victor Osimhen has left the Napoli squad, as he will be representing his nation, Nigeria, at the upcoming AFCON tournament. Their first game is on January 14 against Equatorial Guinea as part of their group stage.
