English Premier League giants Liverpool have joined the race for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, reports PUNCH Sports Extra.
The 24-year-old is one of the most coveted players in world football having scored 31 goals in 39 appearances as he helped Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time in more than three decades and finish as the league’s top scorer.
The Nigerian would also be interested in Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Reds are now set to compete against these sides for the striker, with offers expected “in the coming days” amid a potential bidding war.
However, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis’ valuation of Osimhen at over £150m could prove prohibitively expensive. The Nigeria international completed Lille’s €70m transfer to Napoli in the summer of 2020 and has since scored 59 goals in 101 appearances in all competitions.
He also enjoyed a fantastic campaign last season securing his first Scudetto since 1990 under manager Luciano Spalletti.
However, Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis’ valuation of Osimhen at over £150million could prove prohibitively expensive.
The Nigeria international completed Lille’s €70m transfer to Napoli in the summer of 2020 and has since scored 59 goals in 101 appearances in all competitions.
He also enjoyed a fantastic campaign last season securing his first Scudetto since 1990 under manager Luciano Spalletti.
Liverpool are said to be enthusiastic about his undisputed technical qualities and header ball prowess, as well as his ability to fit in with coach Jürgen Klopp’s aggressive, high-pressure and sometimes direct style of play.
Gazzetta added that Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo’s problems on Merseyside led Klopp to watch the Nigeria international on 25 occasions. Nunez, the club’s record £85m signing last summer, has scored just nine league goals, while Gakpo, who has scored seven goals in 26 appearances in all competitions, is not a born striker.
It is unclear whether he would be willing to give up Champions League glory to Napoli for a Europa League campaign at Anfield.
Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, is said to have an “open dialogue” with De Laurentiis, who wants to link the strong point to a new contract.
United, who are looking for a new striker this summer, are interested in him as are Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund.
French shopping giant PSG have already lost Lionel Messi to Inter Miami and could also sell striker Kylian Mbappé, leaving them open to a move to Osimhen.
