Manchester United have been dealt a transfer setback after Jurgen Klopp officially asked for Lille star Victor Osimhen who is ready to leave France for the Premier League.
The Nigeria International looked all set to join Napoli earlier this week until reports in Italy suggested Premier League outfits were aiming to hijack the bid.
RAI Sport journalist Ciro Venerato initially said United were in contact with Osimhen's agents over a late move.
But the same reporter is now reporting that one phone call from Jurgen Klopp has totally changed the state of play, with Liverpool now in pole position to land the 21-year-old.
“New and perhaps decisive steps forward in Liverpool’s purchase of Osimhen,” he told Calcio Napoli 24.
“His new agent seems to have left little margin for the Blue management after a telephone talk.
“There are signs of cosmic pessimism mixed with resignation coming from Castel Volturno. After Pépé, Osimhen seems to have vanished too.
“The change of agent has proven decisive. But we mustn’t forget the past. The boy had long had doubts about his destination. He dreamt of the Premier League.
“Naples was his alternative choice in the absence of concrete offers. Now that Klopp has officially asked for him, it’s all over.
“The appeal of the European champions, the Reds is too strong, money aside. There’s not only economic reasons for Oshimen.
“The Premier League is the dream of all Nigerian boys.”
As mentioned, earlier this week it was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side who looked as though they would stop Napoli securing a deal.
Venerato said: “A few hours ago Manchester United phoned Osimhen’s new agent to find out if he had signed with Napoli.
“If an offer from United comes, there would not be many possibilities because they have an economic power superior to that of Napoli.”
And Napoli chiefs admit they may have to miss out on the player.
“Osimhen is a very good player, but there are lots of other teams who want him and we're working on other fronts too,” Napoli sporting director Cristiano Guintoli told Dazn.
“He changed his agent, so now we have to start all over again.
SEE ALSO | Bet9ja Agent Registration: Form, Fess, Requirements, Commission Explained
“It's a complex and difficult set of negotiations.”
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
