Why Napoli Rejected PSG’s €200m Offer For Osimhen And Kvaratskhelia

Naples, Italy – Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed why he turned down a blockbuster €200 million bid from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for attacking duo Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, despite the huge financial lure.

In an interview with Corriere della Sera, the outspoken club chief confirmed that PSG’s package deal for the pair—who were central to Napoli’s 2022/23 Serie A title triumph—was rejected out of loyalty to head coach Antonio Conte.

Loyalty Over Profit

“I could have sold him at that moment. PSG had offered over €200m for the Kvara and Osimhen package,” De Laurentiis admitted.

“However, I had promised Conte I would keep him, and I didn’t feel like going back on my word. With those funds, the idea was to buy Gyökeres.”

Conte, who was appointed last summer, had reportedly made it a condition that Napoli’s two talismanic forwards remain at the club, at least through his debut campaign.

The Kvaratskhelia Saga

While Osimhen stayed, Kvaratskhelia’s future became complicated. De Laurentiis revealed that the winger’s exit to PSG in January 2025 for €75m was forced by contractual disputes and threats from his agent Mamuka Jugeli, who threatened to invoke Article 17 of FIFA’s transfer regulations—a rarely used clause that allows players to terminate contracts under certain conditions.

“I had to let him go because his agent was threatening to use Article 17,” De Laurentiis said.

“After the Georgian’s extraordinary first season, we immediately moved to negotiate a contract extension, increasing his salary and offering him a significant sum. However, his agent had other plans for himself and the player.”

The negotiations dragged on during Euro 2024 in Germany, where Kvaratskhelia was representing Georgia. According to De Laurentiis, Jugeli made repeated demands and alleged Napoli had failed to meet past promises, accusations linked to former sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli.

Osimhen’s Departure to Galatasaray

Unlike Kvaratskhelia, Victor Osimhen initially stayed, honoring Conte’s first season in charge. But the Nigerian striker—who had been linked to Premier League clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal—eventually moved to Galatasaray in a €75m permanent deal following a loan spell in Turkey.

Osimhen, who scored 26 league goals to win the Capocannoniere (top scorer award) during Napoli’s 2022/23 Scudetto season, departs as one of the club’s modern icons.

Historic Duo Broken Apart

Both players were central to Napoli’s fairytale Serie A triumph in 2023, their first title in 33 years.

• Osimhen: Serie A top scorer, widely regarded as one of the best strikers in world football.

• Kvaratskhelia: Serie A MVP, dazzling with dribbles and creativity, earning the nickname “Kvaradona” among Napoli fans.

The duo’s chemistry lit up Europe and made Napoli one of the most feared teams under Luciano Spalletti.

What PSG Missed

Had the €200m double deal gone through, PSG would have secured two of Europe’s most lethal young forwards in one swoop—potentially reshaping their attack in the post-Mbappé era. Instead, the French giants had to settle for signing only Kvaratskhelia in January.

For Napoli, rejecting such a fee was a bold statement, underlining De Laurentiis’ reputation for prioritizing sporting continuity over short-term profit—though fans remain divided after both stars eventually left for combined fees significantly below the original offer.

Global Transfer Context

• Article 17 precedent: This clause has rarely been used since the Andy Webster case in 2006, making Kvaratskhelia’s threat a major legal headache for Napoli.

• PSG strategy: With Mbappé moving to Real Madrid in 2024, PSG had been aggressively seeking high-profile attackers to rebuild their forward line.

• Serie A finances: Italian clubs outside Juventus have often struggled to compete financially with Premier League and Ligue 1 giants, making Napoli’s refusal of €200m highly unusual in modern football economics.

What Next for Napoli?

With Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia gone, Napoli will rely on Antonio Conte’s tactical discipline and a reshaped squad. The €150m combined fees give them spending power, but replacing the duo’s quality remains a monumental challenge.

Meanwhile, both players will carry new pressures abroad:

• Osimhen will be expected to spearhead Galatasaray’s European ambitions.

• Kvaratskhelia joins a PSG side still searching for Champions League glory.