Former Napoli head scout Leonardo Mantovani has revealed that Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen initially did not match the club’s needs when first spotted, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 25-year-old joined the Neapolitans during the 2020 Summer transfer window from LOSC Lille for a few in the region of €77 million and from there appeared to be one of the key players in the club’s Serie A title victory after 33 years.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Napoli Centrale, Mantovani disclosed that he originally scouted Osimhen during a Champions League match between Ajax and Lille, while focusing on Ajax’s full-backs.
“I happened to see him in a Champions League match between Ajax and Lille. But, in reality, we were there to observe Ajax’s full-backs, Mazraoui on the right and Tagliafico on the left. When I got back, I made my report on the game and noted that there were two other strong players: one was Soumaré, a midfielder, and the other was Osimhen. This striker who ran a lot, covering the entire area—maybe he even ran too much (he laughs). But he was truly unstoppable.” He said as quoted by Tutto Napoli.
Mantovani admitted that, despite the clear talent of the Napoli-owned Galatasaray forward, he did not fit the profile Napoli required for a striker at the time.
“The full-backs were strong, but I also noted that Osimhen wasn’t the player who fit our needs at that time” he added.
However, the signing of Osimhen came after Napoli’s Coppa Italia win under Gennaro Gattuso, who wanted a more dynamic, fast-paced approach.
With this new playing style, Gattuso requested a forward who could exploit spaces and add depth to the attack. Mantovani’s team revisited Osimhen, recognising him as the perfect fit for Gattuso’s vision.
Today, the Nigeria international stands as one of Serie A’s most formidable strikers, where he has proved pivotal in the rise of the Naples-based club.