Napoli Releases Official Statement Concerning Victor Osimhen And The Unacceptable TikTok Video.

Italian club Napoli have released a press release explaining that they never wanted to offend or make fun of Victor Osimhen via the videos posted on the club's official TikTok handle on Tuesday.

It happened that the Serie A champions shared a video on their TikTok account showing Osimhen missing a penalty which proved to be a defining moment in their 0-0 draw against Bologna in the league last weekend, with a high-pitched odd voice saying ''gimme penalty please" dubbed over the top.

The video was was interpreted by many football fans as a ‘mockery’ of Nigerian star striker.

The strange video was eventually pulled down by Napoli following a serious backlash on social media, but Osimhen's agent Roberto Calenda has threatened to take legal action against the club.

CloudNine Sports reports that Osimhen was not pleased with the turn of events by the club social media antics, and in the early hours of Wednesday morning, he deleted Napoli-related photos and videos on his Instagram page which could likely to lead to speculation he may leave the club in January. 

He has scored 62 goals for Napoli in 107 games since becoming their record signing for £79 million ($96m) in 2020.

“Calcio Napoli, wishing to avoid any exploitation of the issue, point out that we never wanted to offend or mock Victor Osimhen, who is a treasure of this club... a Thursday statement read

“As proof of that, during the summer training retreat, the Club firmly rebuffed every offer that was received for the striker’s transfer abroad”.

“Social media, in particular TikTok, has always used an expressive form of language with a light heart and creativity, without wanting to, as in the case with Osimhen as protagonist, have any intention of insult or derision”.

“In any case, if Victor perceived any offence towards him, this was not what the club intended”.

Victor Osimhen was reportedly offered £1 million weekly tax-free by Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. That is £52 million yearly, as he earns £74,400 weekly at Napoli.

He is still yet to sign a new two-year deal which was on the table all summer.

Napoli rejected a £120 million bid from Al Hilal and a £86.5 million bid from PSG for him.

Bayern Munich, Man United and Chelsea showed interest for him during the summer transfer window.

However, Osimhen was on the scoresheet when the club beat Udinese 4-1 at the Estadio Diego Maradona Stadium on Wednesday night, but he didn't celebrate the goal, despite it ending his four-match wait for a goal.

The 24-year-old was picked to start the game despite his relationship with the club souring in the past 24 hours, and he netted the second goal for the Serie A champions.

The usually emphatic celebrator instead adopted a mooted stance, while team-mates ran over to congratulate him.

Napoli are next in action on Saturday against Lecce in Serie A, before taking on Real Madrid in the Champions League on October 3.