Victor Osimhen 'forever grateful' to Serie A in possible hint at Napoli departure following Scudetto win
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Updated 05/05/2023 at 09:36 GMT
Victor Osimhen has been regularly linked with a move to the Premier League following his goalscoring exploits in Serie A this term, and his comments after Napoli won the Scudetto hinted that he may have played his last game in Italy. Manchester United and Chelsea are among those to have been tracking the prolific Nigerian, who scored again on Thursday night to seal the point Napoli needed.
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Victor Osimhen says he is "forever grateful" to Serie A in a possible hint at his Napoli departure following their first Italian title win in 33 years.
Luciano Spalletti's side finally clinched the Scudetto on Thursday night following a 1-1 draw with Udinese that put them out of reach of nearest challengers Lazio.
Nigeria forward Osimhen, 24, scored the Partenopei's goal on the night, his 22nd in Serie A this term and 27th in all competitions.
It is this form that has seen him regularly linked with a big-money move to teams including Manchester United and Chelsea, and he appeared to suggest his exit might come this summer.
“In what aspect do I feel I have improved in Serie A? I will forever be grateful to this league, to this competition," Osimhen said in the momentous aftermath of Napoli's triumph.
"As I always say, I am learning the role of a striker and with Napoli it was immediately good emotions.
"I feel I have improved a lot, thanks especially to Spalletti and his staff, they gave me confidence to be able to grow and score a lot of goals.
“It is a fantastic emotion for me, we waited so many years to bring the Scudetto to Napoli and we succeeded, it is a day we will never forget for the rest of our lives.
"Now let’s go celebrate with the public in our stadium. [Is it the] greatest satisfaction of my life? I couldn’t have quantified this feeling, it is truly wonderful.
"At the beginning of the season we were underdogs, not many people believed in us but thanks to the union, a great coach, the president and everyone in the club we were able to believe in the Scudetto and win it. Now we enjoy the moment.
“When did we realise we could win this Scudetto? When we won at home to Roma. They are a strong team and we fought all the way, there we realised we had the numbers to win this Scudetto, thanks also to the mentality of the group.”
Spalletti echoed Osimhen's joyous feelings, but admitted the weight of expectation from Neapolitans craving a first title since 1990 had been a heavy weight to bear.
“Seeing the Partenopei smiling and joyful is the greatest emotion for me," Spalletti said. "They are the ones who pass on their happiness.
"The problem was reaching this point, as when you have the feelings of an entire city weighing on your back.
"There are people here who will be able to get through difficult moments in their lives because they remember this moment. These people deserve all the joy.
“It perhaps makes me feel more relaxed now, we’ve been able to give them that joy. These fans have seen huge coaches come and go.
"They saw Diego Armando Maradona play and perhaps his protection is also felt in this success.
“I have to dedicate this to the players, who deserved this joy. The second is to all the fans – Napoli, this is for you."
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