Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has acknowledged that the club made a costly mistake in its handling of Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, revealing that manager Antonio Conte had advised against selling the Georgian winger.
Speaking about past transfer dealings, De Laurentiis disclosed that Napoli had received a substantial joint offer of €200 million from Paris Saint-Germain and other interested clubs for the two players. Despite this, the club chose a path that ultimately saw Kvaratskhelia depart for the French champions, while Osimhen moved to Turkish side Galatasaray.
The Napoli president admitted that the decision went against the guidance provided by Conte at the time, a choice he now regrets.
Reflecting on the situation, De Laurentiis told The Athletic: “When we started with Conte, we received an offer of €200 million from PSG and others to sell Victor Osimhen and Kvara together.
“Conte said, ‘Osimhen, you can sell, but please don’t sell Kvara. This was a big mistake.”
His comments highlight a significant moment in Napoli’s recent transfer history, suggesting that internal disagreements over player sales may have shaped the club’s current trajectory.
Both players have gone on to perform strongly since leaving Napoli. Kvaratskhelia has impressed following his move to Paris Saint-Germain, becoming an influential figure in their attacking line-up. Meanwhile, Osimhen has also made a notable impact at Galatasaray, continuing his reputation as a prolific forward.
The revelation sheds light on the decision-making process behind high-profile transfers and underscores the challenges clubs face when balancing financial opportunities with sporting priorities. Napoli’s willingness to consider a combined €200 million offer reflects the scale of interest in both players at the time, but the eventual outcome appears to have fallen short of expectations within the club.
De Laurentiis’ admission also points to the importance of alignment between club executives and coaching staff when making key decisions. Conte’s recommendation to retain Kvaratskhelia suggests he saw the winger as integral to the team’s future, a view that now seems validated by the player’s performances in France.
While Napoli benefited financially from the transfers, the president’s remarks indicate lingering regret over the choices made. The situation serves as a reminder of how pivotal transfer decisions can have lasting consequences, both on and off the pitch.
As both players continue to excel with their respective clubs, Napoli are left to reflect on what might have been had they followed their manager’s advice more closely.
