Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen has stolen headlines in Italy and world football.
The Nigeria national football team star, who'll be hoping to guide his team to glory at AFCON 2023 later in the year, has spearheaded Napoli's charge to the Serie A title. It is a big step for him, his team, as well as the Nigerian football diaspora.
Napoli need 1 more win to seal their League Title win.
Victor Osimhen needs 1 more goal to set the record as the highest scoring African Player ever in Italian Serie A.Glory Days are Near! 🔒🦅 pic.twitter.com/97mTjp5wkM
— LERRY (@_AsiwajuLerry) April 23, 2023
Courtesy of his performances, the Super Eagles forward has grabbed the world's attention, with big clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United vying for his signature. But how much is the forward worth in today's transfer market? We will attempt an answer in this piece.
Victor Osimhen current valuation
A look at the striker's transfer history shows an increase in trend since his move to VfL Wolfsburg after his exploits in the 2015 Under-17 World Cup with the Golden Eaglets.
The German Bundesliga club signed him for €3.5 million from Ultimate Strikers Academy, Lagos, before selling him to RSC Charleroi for the same fee in 2019. He would later move on to LOSC Lille in 2019 for €22.4 million following an impressive year in Belgium.
Napoli would shell out €75 million to make him Africa and Nigeria's most expensive footballer a year later.
The Serie A side paid the fee after a huge transfer battle between top European sides who witnessed the Nigeria Super Eagles striker upturn all of Europe with his incredible ability as a number 9. Napoli now wants at least €120 – €150 million, thanks to Osimhen's improved performances and calibre of clubs interested in him.
Napoli has put £150million price on Victor Osimhen pic.twitter.com/XVkYjEHyEB
— Naija (@Naija_PR) April 22, 2023
It isn't an unrealistic ask, especially when comparing the market price for high-flying strikers like Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Benfica's Gonçalo Ramos across Europe.
Haaland was only bought for under €60 million thanks to a clause in his Borussia Dortmund contract but is valued at €170 million by trusted transfer value and stats collection website Transfermarkt.
Osimhen, touted as the man to take home the AFCON 2023 Golden Boot, is valued at €100 million in comparison. Football Transfers, another outlet to determine footballers' market value, puts Osimhen's value between €52.5 million and €87.5 million while setting €70 million as his best value.
Napoli, however, reserves the right to sell Osimhen for whatever they deem is best, as transfer values are solely in the hands of the selling club.
How much should Osimhen go for?
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis set Osimhen's €100 million-plus price for many reasons, including the calibre of clubs looking to sign the Nigeria national football team striker.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain can shell out that amount for the former Wolfsburg striker. The amortisation facility will allow them to spread the payments across seasons and keep their books steady.
However, whether they break the bank and pay over €100 million for Osimhen's services remains to be seen. Osimhen remains a big fish for any team attempting to catch him, but they must remember an extravagant price brings a burden, and some players may have challenges dealing with it.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago