The 2020 transfer of Victor Osimhen to Napoli for €70 million is currently facing renewed scrutiny. An ongoing investigation has uncovered internal communications from both Napoli and Lille, revealing that officials were aware of the potential “risks” associated with the deal. WhatsApp chat excerpts even include a stark remark: “Hopefully they won’t accept, or we’ll have to resort to robbery.”
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica has published these WhatsApp conversations, which form the core evidence for an investigation seeking trial for false accounting. In the summer of 2020, Lille reportedly proposed selling Osimhen to Napoli for an effective €50 million, with an additional €20 million purportedly added through artificially inflated transfer fees for four other players.
These players included goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis, along with three youth team members: Luigi Liguori and Claudio Manzi, each valued at €4 million, and Ciro Palmieri, valued at €7 million.
Napoli and Lille Officials Aware of the Deal`s Questionable Nature
The published messages suggest that Napoli directors Cristiano Giuntoli and Andrea Chiavelli were acutely aware of the perilous nature of this arrangement. On July 17, 2020, general manager Chiavelli allegedly messaged director of sport Giuntoli, stating, “He told me to send it, but hopefully they won’t accept, otherwise we’ll have to resort to robbery.” This comment, accompanied by emojis, referred to an early version of the transfer proposal that subsequently underwent several changes before a final agreement was reached.
Further exchanges between Giuntoli and his assistant Giuseppe Pompilio reference Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis. Giuntoli wrote, “I am staying still. He told me to send it, but hoping they won’t accept. I have to talk to Aurelio first. What a terrorist.” Pompilio responded, “This is psychological terrorism,” to which Giuntoli added, “Terrorist. Write that we are lucky Amrabat and Kumbulla didn’t want to come. Otherwise we’d have to play this season with Petagna.”
Pompilio, evidently alarmed by the casual discussion of the deal`s inherent risks, cautioned Giuntoli:
“You mustn`t write anything. Don`t leave any traces in the emails. You can say what you like in person.”
Pompilio also highlighted the irregular valuation process for the three youth team players. It is notable that these three players were collectively valued at €15 million but never played a single game for Lille. Instead, they were immediately loaned out to third or even fourth-division teams, only to be eventually released from their contracts.
When Giuntoli attempted to rush Pompilio for a quick estimate on these valuations, Pompilio firmly replied:
“Cri, trust me. You cannot realise what you just asked me. Let me work.”
Concerns regarding the structure of the Osimhen transfer were not exclusive to Napoli. Lille’s general manager, Julien Mordacq, also voiced his apprehension to CEO Marc Ingla. Mordacq reportedly wrote:
“It is my duty to warn you regarding the risks associated with this deal, based on the elements I already discussed with you in person. Every detail considered ‘strange’ could generate questions on the overall agreements (relative to 5 players) and we’d need to provide some real responses and justification.”
While Napoli had previously been cleared of wrongdoing by the sporting justice system, this newly uncovered evidence has emerged as the Tribunal in Rome proceeds with a potential trial for false accounting related to the controversial transfer.
