Former Napoli head scout Leonardo Mantovani recently shared insights into Victor Osimhen’s initial scouting journey, revealing that the Super Eagles forward was not originally seen as a match for Napoli’s needs. Osimhen joined Napoli in 2020 from LOSC Lille for €77 million and later became a cornerstone in their Serie A title-winning squad.

Mantovani first spotted Osimhen during a Champions League game between Ajax and Lille, where he was primarily scouting Ajax’s full-backs. Though impressed by Osimhen’s relentless play, Mantovani noted that he didn’t fit Napoli’s striker profile at the time. However, following Napoli’s Coppa Italia win, then-coach Gennaro Gattuso’s desire for a dynamic forward led the club to re-evaluate Osimhen, ultimately seeing him as a perfect fit. Today, Osimhen is one of Serie A’s most feared strikers, pivotal to Napoli’s recent successes.