However, it is difficult not to argue with critics who have labelled Osimhen a one-season wonder.
It is true that Napoli produced the worst title defence in history and, for that, owner Aurelio de Laurentiis apologised.
Sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli and Spalletti left, and the coach’s replacement, Rudi Garcia, confessed to not having watched Napoli play the season prior.
Gone were the intricate and fluent patterns of play, replaced by confused tactics and long balls in search of Osimhen in the hope that his individual quality would shine.
Three coaches came and went last season. Osimhen was tasked with continuing to score, which he did – 17 goals and four assists in 32 appearances despite travelling to the Africa Cup of Nations, contending with a carousel of different coaching philosophies, and the club being accused of racially abusing him on social media when it took aim at his penalty-taking skills.
Only Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo have produced a better minute-to-goal ratio in Serie A than Osimhen, according to Opta.
De Laurentiis confirmed in January that the player was set to leave the club. The contract extension announced just before Christmas, which included a big salary bump and the much-maligned buyout clause, would allow Napoli to make profit on the player they helped to develop into a star.
After all, they had turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia last summer and were convinced that the many clubs searching for that perfect number nine would pay.
However, today’s clubs must choose a more sustainable path to success. Some may well agree with the notion that Napoli chose to be greedy.
But if the inconsistent Rafael Leao had a 175m euro (£147m) release clause and Rasmus Hojlund earned a £72m move to Manchester United (including potential bonuses) after 10 goals for Atalanta and one good season, how does one adequately value a player?
How much is Osimhen worth? More than Hojlund? Less than the £107m Enzo Fernandez? It is a mystery but, for the Neapolitans and calcio lovers who watched the African player of the year and the Italian Footballers’ Association player of the year, Osimhen is priceless.
Asked about Osimhen after transfer deadline day, Napoli director Giovanni Manna told DAZN: “Victor expressed his absolute desire to not stay at Napoli, to not play for Napoli, and we tried to make him happy.”
Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia were not willing to meet Napoli’s valuation, while Chelsea were not able to match his salary requirements. But Galatasaray came to the rescue after deadline day.
It has been regarded as a fall from grace for Osimhen – Italian newspapers called it “sad” – but the move to Galatasaray means he will don the red and yellow strip once worn by his idol Didier Drogba, allowing him to accomplish a minor dream.
More importantly, and according to reports in Italy and Turkey, Osimhen ensured his contract includes a clause that will allow him to leave Istanbul if one of the top 10 clubs he has listed come calling in January.
He must sign another contract extension, this time to 2027, so Napoli can still exercise a certain level of control when he is sold permanently, but at least his release clause has been brought down to a more reasonable 75m euros (£63m).
Will a Premier League club come calling in a few months?
