Victor Osimhen left Lille for Napoli in 2020 and months prior to the transfer, his agent had revealed that Newcastle United showed interest in the striker.
He finished his debut season in Italy with 10 goals and four assists from 24 matches and has started this campaign on a bright note, managing nine goals and two assists in 14 matches.
The 24-year-old’s fine form for the Serie A side has seen him linked to other clubs and it was no surprise the Magpies were also thrown into the rumour mill in recent days.
Osita Okolo is a member of the Nigeria international’s entourage and gave an interview to CalcioNapoli24, during which he was directly quizzed about reports of the Tyneside club’s interest.
Osimhen started in his side’s 3-2 defeat against Inter Milan last weekend, but was forced off the pitch in the second half due to a facial injury. Napoli confirmed the attacker had to undergo an operation on Tuesday and is expected to be out of action for three months.
With Okolo dismissing the possibility of the player joining the Premier League side, he further stressed Osimhen’s immediate focus is on recovering from the injury.
“Victor underwent a very long and difficult operation. Now he is fine, I spoke to him, reassuring me about his condition. His goal is to recover, at the moment his aspiration is to be well. We talked to the doctors; we will follow all the directives,” Okolo explained.
“African Cup of Nations? Victor’s priority is to be well first of all, the rest matters little now. He was playing very well and had conquered everyone. This injury stopped Osimhen but he wants to come back stronger than before.
“Recovery time? We have to wait what the doctors say. they talked about three months. Maybe it becomes two, but we do not know. It is a very complicated injury that requires caution, step by step we will see the boy’s answers.”
