Napoli's Victor Osimhen. Picture: EPA, CESARE ABBATE
VICTOR Osimhen has not been included in Napoli’s official 23-man Serie A squad for this season, after the Nigerian striker’s expected move away from the club failed to materialise.
Osimhen’s 26 goals helped Napoli to their Scudetto win two seasons ago, but it has all turned sour since, and although the want-away player is still at the club, for now he plays no part in their plans.
The 25-year-old signed a contract extension with Napoli last December, keeping him at the club until 2026 and with a reported release clause of €130 million.
A month later, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis said Osimhen would leave at the end of the season, and in recent days his expected destination appeared to be Chelsea or Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.
Negotiations went on until the transfer window closed in both Italy and England on Friday, but with Osimhen’s wage demands apparently not met by Chelsea, it appeared he was on his way to Saudi Arabia.
Napoli, however, did not accept the offer from Al-Ahli, who then signed Ivan Toney from Brentford for a reported £40 million, and signed Belgian Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.
Meanwhile, in La Liga, forward Raphinha scored the first hat-trick of his career and delivered two assists to guide an imperious Barcelona to a 7-0 rout of Real Valladolid on Saturday.
Barcelona will go into the international break on top of the standings on a perfect 12 points from four games, five ahead of second-placed Villarreal and seven clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid in fourth, both of whom have a game in hand.
Facing a Valladolid side who gave champions Madrid a tough game last weekend, Barcelona were ruthless and showed from the start why they have been Spain’s most impressive side this season under new manager Hansi Flick.
Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski gave the hosts a two-goal lead within four minutes with similar efforts from counter-attacks, controlling long balls by Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal before tidy finishes past the goalkeeper.
Jules Kounde extended the lead by striking a rebound from a corner in added time before the break and, after Lewandowski hit the post, Raphinha scored twice from close range to extend Barca’s lead.
The Brazil international continued his masterclass with an assist to new signing Dani Olmo, who, after hitting the post twice and missing an absolute sitter from close-range, finally managed to score in the 82nd minute in his first start for Barca.
Substitute Ferran Torres completed the drubbing from another assist by Raphinha, who is second in the LaLiga top-scorer race with three goals, one behind Lewandowski.
Reuters