Tottenham wants to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli after failing to get the Nigerian striker last summer. The North London side faces competition from Arsenal and Newcastle for the player’s signature.
When Austin ‘jay jay’ Okocha signed for Paris Saint-Germain in 1998 for £14 million, he was the most expensive African player. The signing was a big deal as African players did not have much financial value.
Over the years, things have changed, and while many African players have signed for figures that make Okocha’s signing look like pocket money, no Nigerian has cracked the €100 million mark.
It is good to see that Nigerian players are increasing in value. Alex Iwobi moved from Arsenal to Everton in 2019, with Arsenal receiving an initial fee of £28 million, rising to £34 million with potential add-ons. It made the midfielder the most expensive Nigerian player, only to be eclipsed by Victor Osimhen a year later, as he joined Napoli from Lille for €71.3 million.
Osimhen is about to eclipse that figure again as the Nigerian forward attracts attention from different quarters.
Tottenham throw hat in the ring for Osimhen
Newcastle United was hoping to strengthen its squad as their battle to avoid the drop continues. The Tyneside club made a humongous January bid for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. It is hard to say if Napoli was impressed by the offer, but they were unlikely to let their prized asset leave in the middle of a title chase. The Partenopei rejected the bid, but they know another offer will come in.
There may be a bidding war for Victor Osimhen in the summer as Tottenham has joined the likes of Newcastle and Arsenal in interest for Osimhen.
Football Insider reports that Tottenham Hotspur is thinking of tempting Napoli with a mouthwatering offer for the former Lille striker. The Lilywhites are preparing a bid of around £70 million for the Nigerian striker.
Tottenham will have stiff competition from Newcastle and Arsenal. Newcastle hopes to survive relegation, to strengthen their position to get the young striker.
Arsenal needs a seasoned striker following the exit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the impending departure of Alexandre Lacazzette in the summer.
What Spurs get in Osimhen
With an exit for Harry Kane still looming, Spurs will need a striker to plug in the goals, and Antonio Conte has identified Victor Osimhen as that striker.
The 23-year-old striker is showing his worth this season for Napoli with his goal contribution to the side. Osimhen has scored nine goals and provided two assists in 16 matches.
Spurs had come for the striker following the desire of their striker Harry Kane to join Manchester City last summer.
Osimhen is currently recuperating after an injury that ruled him out of AFCON, but he has adapted seamlessly to life at the Partenopei. In 46 matches, he has scored 19 goals and has become a dependable asset for Luciano Spalletti.
Spurs hope to keep Harry Kane but want to add competition to his position as the English international is the only striker of note at Tottenham.
Osimhen also poses a smart long-term investment for Spurs. Meanwhile, Napoli is still bent on keeping the striker, who still has three years left on his contract.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
