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Napoli face points deduction as prosecutors seek extension in Osimhen transfer probe

THE Naples Public Prosecutor’s Office is believed to have asked for a six-month extension for their investigation into the transfer of Victor Osimhen from Lille to Napoli.

The Nigeria international joined Napoli in September 2020 from the French club in a deal worth €80 million including add-ons and has been good value for the hefty fee.

However, there were reports at the time that around €20m of the deal was made up through dodgy player exchanges.

Italian outfit La Repubblica reported today that the Naples Public Prosecutor’s Office wants an extra six months to carry out their investigation into the Osimhen transfer, believing the four relatively unknown players in the deal had inflated values.

Prosecutor Francesco De Falco and Assistant Prosecutor Sergio Amato are working on the theory that Napoli may have produced false reports in their financial statements for July 2020 to June 2021, based on that Osimhen transfer.

If new incriminating evidence is found, Napoli could face severe sanctions, similar to what was handed to Juventus last week.

Juventus had 15 points deducted from their haul and several directors banned for false financial reporting during the Covid-19 crisis.

Greek goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis, who was 35 at the time of the Osimhen deal, was valued at around €21m alongside youth players Claudio Manzi, Luigi Liguori and Ciro Palmieri, all of whom have since left Lille.

Osimhen has had to deal with injury setbacks during his time at Napoli, but he has been ace whenever he is fit.

The Super Eagles striker has scored 13 goals in Serie A this season, making him the league’s top scorer.

Napoli are currently on top of the table in search of their first Italian top flight title since 1991.

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