Napoli have reportedly set a €180m asking price for Victor Osimhen, as the forward's future with the Serie A Champions remains uncertain. Osimhen has grown a reputation as one of the most lethal strikers in world football. He played a key role as Napoli won their first Scudetto title in over three decades last season, scoring 26 goals in the run-up.
The Super Eagles star also scored five goals in the Champions League, taking Napoli to their first-ever quarterfinals finish. His exploits last season have put him among Europe’s elite strikers, and it is no surprise that he is wanted by a host of European's best.
Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis recently revealed that the Nigerian forward is ‘ready' to put pen to paper for a two-year extension at the club. The above comments will effectively mean that the Italian side now have even more grounds to make more out of his potential sale.
Which Clubs Can Sign Osimhen?
It is reported that Napoli will sell the forward if they get an offer that they cannot turn down, amid reports that €150m will be enough to sign the Nigerian. However, the latest reports claim that Napoli have put a €180m valuation on Osimhen and will not sell for lesser than that. With the above in mind, we take a look at four sides that can realistically make a move for Osimhen this summer.
🚨Napoli have put a 180m euro valuation on 24-year-old player Victor Osimhen, who has been linked with Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and PSG.
🔵 #ForzaNapoliSempre 🔴 #PSG👉 The French club is considering making an opening offer for the Nigerian striker.🇳🇬 https://t.co/6NylPuMDpA pic.twitter.com/6hrrGhph8T
— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) June 22, 2023
Manchester United
It is no secret that Manchester United are in desperate need of a striker this summer, with a number of names already looked at. Ten Hag is reportedly in search of a new number 9, with the Red Devils already linked with with a number of options on United's radar. Tottenham's Harry Kane and Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund.
Manchester United's ownership situation means a player like Osimhen can be out of reach but should the Saudi-backed consortium go on to take ownership of the club, they could realistically move for the Nigerian.
Chelsea
Victor Osimhen is reportedly a long-time Chelsea fan, giving the Blues some edge if they decide to move for him. The West London outfit have enough financial muscle to pull of such a signing but with FFP concerns amid their free-flowing spending over the past year, it could be detrimental if they splash out such an amount on one player.
The Blues are in search of a forward though and there are not much better than Osimhen to lead the frontline under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Paris-Saint Germain
Perhaps the most realistic side that can sign Osimhen, PSG are also in search of firepower upfront, especially after losing Lionel Messi to the MLS. It does not help that Neymar's future at the club remains uncertain while talks of an exit for Kylian Mbappe have re-surfaced as well.
PSG are not new to paying such an amount for a player and will also be able to increase his wages by a significant deal. Osimhen also has memories from playing in France, having scored 18 times in 38 appearances, while playing for LOSC Lille.
Manchester City
The Citizens will have no problem paying €180m for Osimhen but with the presence of another goal-machine in Erling Haaland, they have absolutely no reason to move for the Nigerian.
City are well stacked in attack and that point is buttressed in the fact that Julian Alvarez is still eager to get more gametime under Pep Guardiola. Osimhen will count as an unnecessary luxury for City and that makes a move to the Etihad largely unrealistic.
Osimhen – the Most Expensive African Player Ever?
It remains to be seen if any club will pay that much for one player but such an amount will see Osimhen become the most expensive African player of all time by a far margin; eclipsing the €80m Arsenal paid to sign Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019.
In a time where the transfer market has been somewhat inflated, Napoli would feel they can command a good fee for Osimhen but it remains to be seen how all of that would play out.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
