How Napoli Discovered Victor Osimhen While Scouting Ajax Fullbacks
Former Napoli scout Leonardo Mantovani revealed that he first identified Victor Osimhen during a UEFA Champions League match between Ajax and Lille on September 17, 2019. Mantovani had attended the game to assess Manchester United right-back Noussair Mazraoui and Lyon left-back Nicolás Tagliafico, who both played for Ajax at the time.
Despite Osimhen not scoring during the match, Mantovani was captivated by the striker’s relentless work ethic and impressive coverage across the field. He immediately reported Osimhen’s talent, highlighting the young forward’s stamina and agility. At the time, Osimhen was already making waves with Lille, netting 18 goals in 38 appearances that season.
Napoli ultimately secured Osimhen’s signature, outpacing Tottenham Hotspur and other suitors, a decision that paid dividends as he contributed 26 goals in Napoli’s 2022-2023 Scudetto-winning season. Though his relationship with Napoli soured over transfer disputes, leading to a loan move to Galatasaray in 2023, Osimhen’s journey from Lille to Napoli remains a testament to Napoli’s scouting prowess.