Ex-Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly has issued a warning to his former team-mate Victor Osimhen ahead of Nigeria’s anticipated summer transfer
The 32-year-old spent eight years in Naples, coming close to claiming an elusive Serie A title before watching on as the club – fitted with his replacement Kim Min-jae – succeeded this year.
Koulibaly, who completed a £20m move to Saudi pro League club Al-Hilal this week, heaped praise on the in-demand forward and implored him to come to his own decision on his future.
‘Victor is an important player, among the best in the world,’ he told Corriere dello Sport. ‘Gennaro Gattuso helped him, Luciano Spalletti was a turning point for him and now he needs nobody.
‘He must feel free to choose without listening to anyone else. That’s the only way not to have regrets.’
After several seasons of promise, Osimhen definitely put his name among the best strikers in the world with a startling return of 26 goals and five assists from 32 games as Napoli secured their first Scudetto in 33 years.
The 24-year-old was named Capocannoniere for his league leading goal tally, becoming the first African player to win the award.
And despite the departure of Spalleti, with Serie A proving to be one of the most competitive leagues in recent years, Napoli will be hopeful of securing back-to-back championships if they can keep their core intact.
Koulibaly, who played a total of 317 games for the club, talked up the Neapolitan’s chances next term in what he believes to be an improving league.
‘Napoli are favourites because they won the Serie A title with a big margin,’ he added. ‘But everyone will be waiting for them and everyone will make new signings.
‘Serie A is improving and the three European finalists showed it. It takes time when you change coach, but Rudi Garcia knows the Italian league well.
It’s a great challenge for him and he can do great things even if it all depends on the market.’