Napoli President Indicted: Osimhen and Manolas Transfers Under Fire

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis finds himself at the center of a major legal storm as he faces indictment over alleged false accounting related to the high-profile transfers of Victor Osimhen and Kostas Manolas. The club, renowned for its passionate supporters and on-field successes, is now forced to contend with a crisis that could reshape its future on and off the pitch.

Napoli President Faces Fraud Allegations

The indictment of Aurelio De Laurentiis has sent shockwaves through the Italian football community. Prosecutors allege that Napoli artificially inflated capital gains over the 2019, 2020, and 2021 financial years, with the Manolas and Osimhen transfers flagged as central to these claims. Alongside De Laurentiis, CEO Andrea Chiavelli and the club itself have also been indicted, marking one of the most significant legal challenges in the club president’s two-decade-long reign.

According to the prosecution, Napoli recorded “fictitious profits” by overvaluing players—raising questions about compliance with financial regulations. Club lawyers counter that the accusations are unfounded, insisting that accounting standards were properly observed and that Napoli did not realize any improper gain from the deals.

Osimhen Transfer: At the Heart of the Napoli Scandal

Victor Osimhen’s €76 million move from Lille in 2020 is the most scrutinized transaction in this case. The transfer involved four Napoli youth players—Oreste Karnezis, Claudio Manzi, Ciro Palmieri, and Luigi Liguori—collectively valued at nearly €20 million. Investigators claim these valuations were artificially inflated, disguising capital gains and echoing past financial scandals within Serie A.

The situation gained further complexity following the leak of Osimhen’s testimony to Italian financial authorities. The Nigerian striker described feeling pressured and emotionally overwhelmed during transfer negotiations, which took place just after his father’s passing. Osimhen admitted he did not fully understand the contracts presented and felt compelled to proceed, eventually severing ties with his then-agent. These revelations have intensified scrutiny, suggesting that irregularities extended beyond financial maneuvering to the human side of the deal.

Kostas Manolas Deal Adds to Napoli’s Woes

The 2019 transfer of Kostas Manolas from Roma to Napoli is also under investigation. Prosecutors believe the €36 million fee paid for Manolas, alongside the near-simultaneous €21 million transfer of Amadou Diawara to Roma, was orchestrated to boost both clubs’ accounting figures—especially as Roma raced to meet UEFA Financial Fair Play requirements. The subsequent drop in Manolas’s value, when he was sold to Olympiacos for just €2.5 million, has only fueled suspicions about the legitimacy of the initial valuation.

Napoli’s Staunch Defense Amid Crisis

Throughout the ordeal, Napoli has issued strong public statements defending its financial practices. The club highlights independent technical reports that validate its accounting and point to similar charges against other Serie A clubs—such as Inter Milan—that were ultimately dismissed. Napoli maintains its commitment to transparency and compliance, expressing confidence in a favorable outcome as the case proceeds to trial in December 2026.

Impact on Napoli’s Future

The ongoing legal saga places Napoli in a precarious position both legally and competitively. The uncertainty surrounding the trial means a protracted period of instability for the club’s leadership, staff, and fans. While there is no immediate threat of sporting sanctions or point deductions, the implications of a guilty verdict could be severe if prosecutors establish a pattern of systemic fraud.

For a club that has strived to restore its reputation and competitive edge in Italy and Europe, the current predicament is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by financial governance in football.

Opinion: Napoli Must Prioritize Transparency

This case highlights the critical need for transparency and integrity in football transfers. While Napoli’s leadership has confidently defended the club’s practices, the revelations around Osimhen’s transfer point to broader ethical concerns that must be addressed. As the legal process unfolds, Napoli’s future will depend not just on courtroom arguments, but on its willingness to rebuild trust with fans and the wider football community. For more news and updates on this developing story, visit our homepage for more news.