French Champions Paris Saint Germain are in the market for a new striker and it appears Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has been identified as the perfect fit.
According to an Italian transfer market expert, Paolo Bargiggi, PSG are keen on signing the Nigerian and are set to begin talks with Napoli for the striker.
The French champions are currently deep in negotiations with Napoli as the two clubs are trying to finalise a deal that will see goalkeeper Keylor Navas head to Naples and midfielder Fabian Ruiz become a PSG player.
According to Bargiggi (via Solo Parisiens), Ruiz is not the only Napoli star that the Ligue 1 side wants, with the Lea Parisiens also eyeing Osimhen.
“During Giuntoli’s trip to Paris a few days ago, it wasn’t just the names of Fabián Ruiz and Keylor Navas that were at the centre of the discussion. They also spoke about Victor Osimhen: the Nigerian striker is highly regarded by both the coach Galtier and Campos, who has already had him at Lille. The French club has an option for next season,” the website wrote.
“The profile of Napoli ‘s number 9 could be interesting, especially since he knows Ligue 1 having played there with Lille in 2019/20 (15 goals in 32 games). With the Italian club, the striker has scored 28 goals in 56 games between 2020 and 2022 despite numerous injuries.”
PSG’s transfer director Luis Campos and club manager Christophe Galtier rate Osimhen highly, having worked with the Super Eagles striker in Lille.
Osimhen was in fine form as the Serie A resumed, scoring one and assisting another as Napoli started the 2022/23 campaign with a convincing 5-2 win at Verona on Monday.
Italian club fined for alleged racist chants
Osimhen was reportedly subjected to racist jeers and chants from the Hellas Verona during the 2022/23 Serie A Matchday 1 fixture between Verona and Napoli at the Marc Antonio Bentegodi on Monday.
Despite the distractions, the Nigerian international was still influential for the Partenopei as Luciano Spalletti's men ran out 5-2 winners. He scored a goal and made an assist in the comfortable win.
Investigations are expected to go on in order to prosecute the offenders by the Prosecutor's Office.
In the meantime, the Federal Prosecutor's Office fined Hellas Verona a total sum of €15000. A larger chunk of €12,000 is for repeated racist incidents while the South Curve also face a €3,000 fine for throwing objects on the pitch.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
