The Osimhen Saga: Intercepted Chats Expose Napoli’s High-Stakes Transfer Tactics

The spotlight is firmly back on the 2020 transfer of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to SSC Napoli. What was hailed as a significant acquisition for the Serie A club has now evolved into a complex legal drama, with prosecutors requesting the indictment of Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis and CEO Andrea Chiavelli for alleged false accounting.

The Whispers and the Wiretaps: Unpacking the “Terrorist” Tactics

At the heart of the burgeoning scandal are intercepted communications – digital breadcrumbs left by key figures during the transfer negotiations. Reports from Italian media, citing Guardia di Finanza (financial police) documents, reveal a series of WhatsApp messages between then-Napoli Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli, his deputy Giuseppe Pompilio, and CEO Andrea Chiavelli.

The alleged intent? To inflate the transfer fee for Osimhen, bringing it to the reported €70 million mark, with the cooperation of Lille. This alleged inflation was supposedly achieved by integrating four lesser-known players into the deal: third-choice goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis, and young prospects Luigi Liguori, Claudio Manzi, and Ciro Palmieri. These four players were collectively valued at an astonishing €20 million, despite their limited market appeal.

Minutes later, Giuntoli (now at Juventus) and Pompilio allegedly discussed the delicate nature of the deal. Giuntoli expressed his trepidation, stating, “I`m holding back… in fact, he told me to send it, hoping they don`t accept. I need to talk to Aurelio. What a terrorist.” Pompilio responded, calling it “psychological terrorism.” Giuntoli further elaborated on the constrained budget, noting, “Write that we were lucky Amrabat and Kumbulla didn`t want to come. Otherwise, we would have had to play the league with Petagna.” Pompilio, seemingly cautious, advised, “You shouldn`t write anything. Leave no traces in emails. Say whatever you want verbally.” These exchanges, if proven true, suggest an awareness of the dubious nature of the proposed valuations.

Lille`s Alleged Complicity and Internal Doubts

The allegations extend beyond Napoli`s internal discussions, suggesting a cooperative effort with Lille. An email from Lille`s then-President Gerard Lopez reportedly “proposed” to “inflate” the deal. The email, as cited in the investigation, allegedly stated, “This, dearest, allows you to pay a lower price than any other club, but with a nominal value that is necessary to close.” This suggests a mechanism designed to benefit both clubs financially through creative accounting, potentially helping Lille manage its balance sheet.

However, not everyone at Lille was apparently on board without reservation. Julien Mordacq, Lille`s administrative and legal director, reportedly raised serious concerns in a message to then-CEO Marc Ingla. He warned, “It is my duty to warn you again about the risks associated with this deal, due to the elements I have verbally explained to you. Any particular deemed `strange` could generate questions about the entirety of these operations (agreements relating to 5 players) and real elements of response and justifications will be needed.” Such an internal warning underscores the potential red flags surrounding the transaction.

The Players in the Crossfire: Valued, Transferred, Forgotten?

The four players included in the deal – Karnezis, Liguori, Manzi, and Palmieri – became central to the alleged scheme. Their supposed €20 million valuation allowed Napoli to reach Lille`s desired €70 million price tag for Osimhen. Yet, the fate of these players quickly revealed the disparity between their listed transfer value and their actual market worth. They were swiftly loaned out to lower-tier Serie C and D clubs, with some reportedly never even setting foot in France. This raises significant questions about the true economic substance of their inclusion in such a high-profile transfer.

A Tale of Two Judgements: Criminal Court vs. Sporting Justice

The Osimhen case presents a peculiar contrast in legal outcomes. While the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) formally archived the sporting investigation into the transfer in 2022, the criminal justice system has continued its probe. The preliminary hearing for De Laurentiis and Chiavelli is scheduled for November 6th. This divergence highlights the differing thresholds and standards of evidence required in sporting versus criminal law, leaving observers to ponder if football`s internal mechanisms are truly equipped to police complex financial transactions.

Napoli`s Staunch Defense

Napoli`s legal team has vehemently rejected the accusations. In a public statement, they asserted that the evidence does not point to an “illicit scheme” but rather represents the “normal dynamics of a transfer negotiation, physiological in the sector and devoid of criminally relevant profiles.” The defense also expressed “astonishment” at the media`s publication of what they claim are confidential investigative documents, arguing that the reported phrases are “extrapolated from a much broader dialectical context” and that the individuals involved have already provided “punctual, clear, and convincing explanations” to prosecutors, clarifying any perceived ambiguity.

The Bigger Picture: Scrutiny on Football Finance

The Osimhen transfer saga is more than just a specific club`s predicament; it`s a stark reminder of the intense scrutiny facing football finance. In an era where Financial Fair Play rules loom large and clubs strive to balance their books, the temptation for creative accounting can be significant. The alleged “inflation” of player values, particularly for fringe players, offers a glimpse into the complex and often opaque world of transfer dealings, where nominal values can seemingly be disconnected from tangible market realities. As the legal proceedings unfold, the football world will be watching closely to see how this high-stakes game of financial alchemy ultimately plays out.