Super Eagles star Osimhen is a valuable player, says Marco Branca
Former Inter Milan sporting director, Marco Branca, is convinced that Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has become one of the best strikers in the world, justifying Napoli’s massive outlay on him last year.
Napoli pulled all the stops in the summer of 2020 to beat almost half of Europe to the signing of Osimhen, who had enjoyed a brilliant single campaign in Ligue 1 at Lille.
With ex-Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso at the forefront of the transfer, the Neapolitans reportedly secured the signature of the young striker in a deal believed to be worth over 80 million euros – a club and African transfer record.
The Super Eagles star only managed ten goals in his debut season in Italy but has shone brighter under new coach Luciano Spalletti.
The 22-year-old is one of the leading goalscorers in the Europa League with four goals (only Lyon’s Toko Ekambi have scored more). He also notched his fifth Serie A goal in the 1-0 defeat of Torino at the Diego Maradona Stadium several days ago.
He was unlucky against AS Roma, who forced Napoli to a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
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But 1995 UEFA Cup winner with Parma Branca believes the Nigerian has already shown with his unique qualities that Napoli were right to bet big on him.
“Osimhen is worth the money spent by Napoli because he has particular characteristics and more completeness than others,” Branca told Radio Kiss Kiss, as per Tutto Napoli.
“He still has ample room for improvement in front of goal, but for physical structure, participation and quality, I think he is one of the strongest there is.”
Osimhen will not stay in Naples forever, and recent reports have placed the ex-Sporting Charleroi ace on the wish list of Bayern Munich, PSG, and Real Madrid.
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Any interested suitor may need to cough out over €100 million to convince Il Partenopei to part with their prized asset, though.
And Empoli’s sporting director Pietro Accardi claims that no one can say for sure how much a player of Osimhen’s ability could be worth in the market.
When asked by TuttoMercatoWeb, in quotes relayed by Tutto Napoli, how much he thinks the youngster is worth presently, Accardi responded: “For strong players, the price is always notable. He (Osimhen) is complete; he has everything.
“He still has room for growth, (but) he will be targeted by the very big teams.”
Transfermarkt’s latest data update pegs Osimhen with an estimated value of €60 million, making him the second most valuable striker in Italy, behind only Inter Milan ace Lautaro Martinez.