In the high-stakes world of professional football, where player transfers command astronomical figures, the financial mechanics behind these deals are often as complex as they are opaque. The transfer of star striker Victor Osimhen from Lille to Napoli in 2020, a deal reportedly valued at €70 million, is now casting a long shadow, not just over the pitch, but into the hallowed halls of Italian courtrooms. What initially seemed like a straightforward, albeit expensive, acquisition is now a case study in alleged financial wizardry, raising uncomfortable questions about inflated valuations and the shadowy corners of club accounting.
The Anatomy of an Alleged Overvaluation
At the heart of the controversy are newly revealed intercepted communications, published by “Repubblica,” between key Napoli executives: CEO Andrea Chiavelli, then Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli, and his deputy Giuseppe Pompilio. These candid exchanges form a critical part of a report compiled by the Guardia di Finanza for prosecutors Lorenzo del Giudice and Giorgio Orano. The prosecutors have since requested a trial for Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis and Chiavelli on charges of false accounting.
The core allegation is deceptively simple: to reach Lille`s desired €70 million price tag for Osimhen, Napoli allegedly padded the deal with several low-value players whose transfer fees were dramatically inflated. Goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis, along with promising young talents Luigi Liguori, Claudio Manzi, and Ciro Palmieri, were collectively valued at an eyebrow-raising €20 million. A figure, critics suggest, was less about their actual market worth and more about balancing the books. The subsequent fate of these players—immediately loaned to lower-tier Serie C and D clubs, with some reportedly never even setting foot in France—only adds a touch of the absurd to the serious allegations.
“Robberies” and “Terrorists”: The Chats That Speak Volumes
The intercepted messages paint a vivid picture of the internal discussions. On July 17, 2020, as initial draft agreements were being exchanged, Napoli CEO Chiavelli reportedly quipped to Giuntoli:
“Let`s hope they refuse… otherwise we`ll have to resort to robbery.”
A few minutes later, Giuntoli messaged his deputy Pompilio, seemingly under pressure:
“I`m standing firm… in fact he told me to send it, hoping they don`t accept. I need to speak with Aurelio. What a terrorist.”
Pompilio`s response underscored the gravity of the situation, labeling it “psychological terrorism.” Giuntoli then, with perhaps a touch of gallows humor, added:
“Terrorist. Write that we were lucky Amrabat and Kumbulla didn`t want to come… Otherwise we would have had to play the championship with Petagna.”
The concern for discretion was palpable. Pompilio, perhaps recognizing the perilous nature of their digital footprints, quickly admonished Giuntoli:
“You mustn`t write anything. Don`t leave traces in emails. Say whatever you want verbally.”
One might commend their foresight in preferring the spoken word for sensitive topics, a lesson many public figures learn the hard way. Yet, the current predicament suggests that even the “whisper network” eventually found its way into official reports.
Lille`s Unease and the Broader Context
The alleged manipulation wasn`t a one-sided affair. Documents suggest that Gerard Lopez, then Lille`s president, “proposed” to “inflate” the deal, purportedly allowing Napoli to pay a lower net price while maintaining a high nominal value. However, not everyone at Lille was entirely comfortable. Julien Mordacq, Lille`s administrative and legal director, sent a cautionary email to then-CEO Marc Ingla, warning of “risks connected to this affair” due to “strange” elements regarding the five players involved. He stressed the need for “real answers and justifications.” A clear indication that even within the selling club, alarm bells were ringing.
Legal Bouts: Sporting Acquittal vs. Criminal Inquiry
Interestingly, the Italian Football Federation (Federcalcio) had already archived the case from a sporting perspective in 2022. This divergence between sporting justice and criminal investigation is not unheard of in Italian football and highlights the distinct standards of evidence and intent required in each domain. However, the current criminal probe signifies a much more serious legal challenge. A preliminary hearing for De Laurentiis and Chiavelli is scheduled for November 6, a date that will undoubtedly draw significant attention.
Napoli`s Defense: A “Normal Dynamic” Under Scrutiny
Napoli`s legal team, comprising Gino Fabio Fulgeri, Gaetano Scalise, and Lorenzo Contrada, vehemently denies any illicit design. In a public statement, they asserted that the situation represents “the normal dynamic of a transfer negotiation,” which is “physiological in the sector and devoid of criminally relevant profiles.” They also expressed “amazement” at the alleged leakage of confidential investigative documents, arguing that the published phrases are “extrapolated from a much broader dialectical context.” Furthermore, they claim that the involved executives have already provided “precise, clear, and convincing explanations” to prosecutors.
While Napoli maintains its innocence, portraying the events as standard industry practice, the ongoing criminal investigation suggests a deeper concern regarding the financial integrity of high-value football transfers. The Osimhen case serves as a stark reminder that in the glittering world of football, the pursuit of sporting success can sometimes lead to uncomfortable questions about financial maneuvering. As the preliminary hearing approaches, the football world watches to see if these alleged “normal dynamics” will withstand the rigorous scrutiny of legal proceedings, potentially redefining the boundaries of acceptable financial strategy in the beautiful game.
Murray Blackwood