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By Amaechi Agbo

Victor Osimhen’s agent has hit out at his Napoli teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s agent Mamuka Jugeli for suggesting the Nigerian will move to Saudi Arabia next summer.

Osimhen signed a new contract until 2026 in December, with his salary reportedly more than doubling to £8.6m per season, and rejected a £115m advance from Saudi side Al-Hilal in the summer.

He scored 31 goals in all competitions last season as he helped Napoli to their first title in 33 years, making him one of world football’s most wanted players.

To cap an impressive campaign, the 25-year-old was crowned 2023 African Footballer of the Year and came eighth in the Ballon d’Or vote for 2023.

But, Jugeli suggested Osimhen is driven more by money in quotes reported by La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

“Victor Osimhen has signed a new contract, but do you really believe he’ll play for Napoli for his entire career?

“I’ll tell you in advance, he (Osimhen) will go to Saudi Arabia next summer. Napoli raised his salary but Kvicha wouldn’t accept such a transfer even for a billion.

“For example, Kvicha would prefer to play for Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona or maybe Manchester City; Kvaratskhelia has different goals and preferences.

“He wants to be successful, and he is already having it. He is among the top 3 players in the world.”

Reacting to the comment on his Instagram post, Osimhen wrote: “Dear Mamuka Jugeli, you are a piece of filth and a disgrace. I’m embarrassed at your sense of reasoning. Dumbf 3 Asterisk. Keep my name out of your mouth.”

Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda released an official statement on Kvaratskhelia’s agent quotes on Wednesday saying the words credited to Jugeli are “bad, superficial and unacceptable”.

“Everyone must look into their own home and have respect for the work of others. It is not correct to talk about the future of other players”.

“This creates misunderstandings and problems as well as unfortunate predictions”.

“The alleged words of agent Mamuka Jugeli are bad, superficial and unacceptable”.

“These words create problems for my player Victor Osimhen with Napoli fans without any reason or real of the reality”.

“We have just signed a contract renewal and Victor’s only wish, in addition to the Africa Cup of Nations, is to help Napoli. Everything else is rubbish”.

Osimhen is currently with the Super Eagles preparing for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

Be arrived Abidjan with the team on Wednesday where they will face Equitorial Guinea on Sunday in their first Group A match