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Liverpool are allegedly interested in signing Napoli attacker Victor Osimhen.
So far this season, the 24-year-old Nigerian has been in explosive form in front of goal for the Serie A leaders, hitting 23 goals in 24 outings across all competitions.
Osimhen has already scored 46 goals in 84 games for Napoli since joining the club in 2020, and his recent form is said to have piqued the interest of several prominent European clubs ahead of the summer transfer market.
Liverpool the Latest Side with Interest in Osimhen
Manchester United are thought to have identified Osimhen as a potential target as they look for a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Big-spenders Chelsea are also rumored to be interested in the Nigeria international and are willing to pay ‘whatever it takes’ to bring him in next summer.
Arsenal, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid have all been linked with Osimhen, but according to Fichajes newspaper, Liverpool are the next team to enter the fight for his signature.
Jurgen Klopp’s team spent big money last summer on striker Darwin Nunez, who joined to Anfield from Benfica in a club-record £85 million deal.
Liverpool then strengthened their attacking ranks in January with the £37 million signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven.
If Roberto Firmino decides to leave the club before the end of his contract in June, the Reds may consider increasing their interest in Osimhen.
Osimhen ‘Not for Sale’ According to Napoli
However, interested clubs may have a difficult time luring Osimhen away from Napoli, as club president Aurelio de Laurentiis has stated that the striker is not for sale.
“I can tell you that Osimhen is not for sale. Our players are in demand, but I don’t have to sell anyone. We don’t have any debts,” De Laurentiis told Bild as speculation circulated in recent weeks.
Osimhen himself has played down rumors that he may depart Napoli for a big fee in the next transfer window, and told Il Mattino last month that his club: “one of the best clubs in Europe and I want to win here.”
“The future is this moment, try to win something relevant in Italy,” he added, “It’s hard to think about something better than Napoli, one of the best clubs in Italy, right now.”
“I am only focused on this season because we haven’t done anything yet,” he added, “We must win something and then we’ll see what happens.”
Osimhen, who is valued in at a price over £100m by Napoli, is under contract at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium until June 2025.
Were he to lead the side to their third ever Serie A victory, Osimhen would only further grow his cult status in the Italian city. The last man to lead the side to the Italian title was the great Maradona, who is revered throughout the city for his exploits with the club.
The Nigerian will also have an eye on success in Europe however. If he believes that he cannot win at the highest level with his club, then he may look for other options. With so much money and quality in the English Premier League as of now, the striker could well be tempted by Liverpool or another English side before his contract ends.
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