Victor Osimhen is missing from Naples’ Serie A squad for the season

Victor Osimhen was not included in Napoli’s official 23-man Serie A squad for this season after the Nigerian striker’s expected move from the club fell through.

Osimhen's 26 goals helped Napoli to Cup Victory two seasons ago, but everything has gone wrong since then and although the departing player is still at the club, he currently plays no role in the club's plans.

Osimhen, 25, signed a contract extension with Napoli in December that will keep him at the club until 2026 and includes a €130 million release clause.

A month later, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis announced that Osimhen would leave the club at the end of the season and in recent days his likely destination seemed to be Chelsea or Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli.

Negotiations continued until the transfer windows closed in Italy and England on Friday, but with Chelsea apparently failing to meet Osimhen's wage demands, it seemed as though he was on his way to Saudi Arabia.

However, Napoli did not accept Al Ahli's offer and signed Ivan Toney from Brentford for a transfer fee that ESPN reported to be £40 million ($53 million), as well as Belgian Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.

Later on Saturday, Lukaku scored on his debut for his new club, helping Napoli to a 2-1 win over Parma in Serie A.

After the game, Conte said that the lack of attempt to find an exit for Osimhen was the only blemish in Napoli's transfer window.

“We have not only brought in players to build up an existing team, but to fill certain vacancies and I am satisfied with the work the club has done,” he told reporters.

“If we could have sold Osimhen, the situation would have been even better, but what happened cannot be changed and we will move on.”

However, he criticized the closure of the transfer window only after the season had already begun.

“We take these three points, although we know full well that we still have to work on them after this absurdity in the transfer market,” said Conte.

“Coaches have to train players who are going to leave and wait for players we have never worked with and who we don't know what shape they will be in when they arrive.”

“I hope things can change in the future as everyone is willing to change formats and rules.”

This report uses information from Reuters.