De Laurentiis rejects PSG Osimhen bid worth €200m to honour promise to new Napoli coach Antonio Conte.
De Laurentiis rejects PSG Osimhen bid—a bold decision that stunned the football world and highlighted Napoli’s deepening commitment to new head coach Antonio Conte.
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In an exclusive interview with Corriere della Sera, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed that he turned down a €200 million offer from Paris Saint-Germain for star duo Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, purely to keep a promise made to Conte upon his appointment.
“I could have sold him at that moment. PSG had offered over €200m for the Kvara and Osimhen package,” De Laurentiis confirmed.
“However, I had promised Conte I would keep him, and I didn’t feel like going back on my word.”
The mega offer was part of PSG’s push to refresh their attack post-Mbappé, but Napoli resisted the temptation.
According to De Laurentiis, the initial plan—had the deal gone through—was to reinvest in Sporting striker Viktor Gyökeres. But Conte’s arrival shifted priorities, and loyalty outweighed profit.
While Osimhen stayed for another spell, Kvaratskhelia’s move to PSG for €75m in January was less voluntary.
The Napoli president disclosed that his agent, Mamuka Jugeli, threatened to invoke FIFA’s Article 17 to terminate the contract unilaterally.
“After his extraordinary first season, we immediately began working on a new contract,” De Laurentiis said.
“But his agent had different ideas and kept delaying negotiations. He even made false claims about unpaid bonuses.”
Despite Napoli’s generous offer and efforts to keep the Georgian winger, pressure from his camp made his departure inevitable.
Napoli fans have also seen the last of Victor Osimhen, who played a crucial role in the club’s historic 2022/23 Serie A title win, their first in 33 years.
The Nigerian forward, who finished as top scorer that season, joined Galatasaray permanently after a successful loan spell. The deal was finalized for the same €75m price tag.
Together, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia formed one of Europe’s deadliest attacking duos and were central to Napoli’s renaissance.
Osimhen was the hammer; Kvara, the artist. Their departures mark the end of an unforgettable era for the Neapolitan club.
Also read: Man Utd sidelines Osimhen pursuit amidst FFP concerns
Yet, by turning down PSG’s massive package bid, De Laurentiis sent a powerful message: under Antonio Conte, Napoli is prioritizing stability and ambition over short-term financial gain.
Source: Read more at thecable.ng
Maryam Idris is a reporter and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
