In the intricate world of professional football transfers, where fortunes are made and reputations can be undone, a particular €70 million deal involving star striker Victor Osimhen has resurfaced under a spotlight of controversy. What was once celebrated as a strategic move now forms the basis of an investigation into alleged false accounting, revealing internal communications so stark they include talk of robbery
and psychological terrorism
.
The Anatomy of a €70 Million Puzzle
The year was 2020. Napoli, eager to secure the talents of Victor Osimhen from French club Lille, reportedly negotiated a substantial transfer fee. However, the seemingly straightforward sum of €70 million was, according to recent investigations, not entirely for Osimhen himself. Instead, prosecutors allege that the deal was structured to include an effectively €50 million payment for the Nigerian forward, with an additional €20 million designated for four other players.
These four – veteran goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis, and three youth team players: Luigi Liguori, Claudio Manzi, and Ciro Palmieri – were valued at figures that have since raised significant eyebrows. Their collective valuation alone comprised a substantial chunk of the overall sum, yet their on-pitch contributions to Lille would prove to be, shall we say, minimal. In fact, these three youth players never played a single game for the French club, were immediately loaned out to third or even fourth-division teams, and were eventually released from their contracts.
Whispers of “Robbery” and “Terrorism”
What truly sets this investigation apart are the candid revelations from internal WhatsApp communications. These exchanges, obtained by La Repubblica newspaper, suggest that key figures within both Napoli and Lille were acutely aware of the questionable nature of the deal. One particularly striking message, reportedly from Napoli`s general manager Andrea Chiavelli to director of sport Cristiano Giuntoli, chillingly remarked, Hopefully they won’t accept, or we’ll have to resort to robbery.
While accompanied by emojis, suggesting a grim jest among colleagues, the sentiment speaks volumes about the perceived artificiality of the valuations.
Further exchanges between Giuntoli and his assistant Giuseppe Pompilio paint a picture of unease and high-stakes maneuvering. Discussions around the terrorist
tactics and psychological terrorism
allegedly employed by Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis in pushing the deal underline the immense pressure involved. Pompilio, seemingly more attuned to the potential legal repercussions, even warned Giuntoli, You mustn`t write anything. Don`t leave any traces in the emails. You can say what you like in person.
– a stark reminder of the digital footprint left by modern communications in a landscape where discretion is often paramount.
The Unraveling of Valuations
The detailed internal dialogues also reveal the desperate scramble to justify the valuations of the youth players. Pompilio`s plea to Giuntoli, Cri, trust me. You cannot realise what you just asked me. Let me work,
when asked to quickly produce rough estimates for the players` worth, highlights the difficulty in retrospectively legitimizing these figures. It wasn`t merely a matter of finding *some* value, but a struggle to conjure *plausible* value for players who, by all accounts, held little market worth at the proposed price points.
Even on the Lille side, doubts were raised. General manager Julien Mordacq reportedly cautioned CEO Marc Ingla about the risks associated with this deal,
emphasizing that 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.
This prescient warning underscores the deep-seated awareness of potential irregularities from the outset, suggesting that the “strange” details were not an oversight, but a known element.
Sporting Justice vs. Criminal Investigation
It is important to note the distinction in legal proceedings. Napoli has already been cleared of wrongdoing by the sporting justice system, meaning they face no points penalties or other sanctions from football authorities. However, the current revelations are emerging as part of a separate, more serious criminal investigation by the Tribunal in Rome, which is seeking trial for false accounting. This distinction is crucial: while football’s internal mechanisms found no fault, the broader legal system is examining whether financial crimes were committed, a potentially far more significant implication.
The Broader Implications
The Osimhen transfer saga serves as a compelling case study in the complexities and often opaque nature of modern football transfers. It raises pertinent questions about financial transparency, club governance, and the ethics of player valuations. When internal communications suggest a cynical disregard for fair market value, it erodes trust not just in individual clubs, but in the entire transfer ecosystem. For a sport that prides itself on passion and fair competition, allegations of robbery
within its highest echelons cast a long, uncomfortable shadow.
As the Roman Tribunal`s investigation continues, the football world watches. The outcome could set a significant precedent for how such intricate, multi-player deals are scrutinized in the future, hopefully paving the way for greater accountability and transparency in a market that desperately needs it. After all, the beautiful game should remain beautiful even in its balance sheets.
