LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) Napoli’s President, Aurelio De Laurentiis, is reportedly facing an investigation for suspected false accounting related to the club’s high-profile signing of Victor Osimhen for £74 million in July 2020.
The investigation centers around allegations that Napoli artificially inflated capital gains to secure Osimhen’s transfer from French club Lille.
It is claimed that the club offloaded four players for just over £17 million, which accounted for a quarter of Osimhen’s total transfer fee.
These players’ wages were allegedly overvalued in an attempt to boost capital gains.
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Multiple Italian media outlets, including La Repubblica and Sky Sports Italia, have reported that the Rome Prosecutor has initiated an investigation into De Laurentiis for potential false accounting in connection with this transfer.
As part of acquiring Osimhen, Napoli sent backup goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis back to Lille, along with three other players from their academy.
Italy’s Financial Police initially collected evidence suggesting balance sheet irregularities, leading them to notify the Naples Public Prosecutor’s Office.