Transfer: Liverpool hijack Man Utd deal for Napoli striker Osimhen
Liverpool have become contenders for the signature of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, according to a surprising update in the Italian media.
Osimhen’s goals have just helped Napoli to the Serie A title, but his future there remains unclear. Only two years remain on his contract and his current employers will have to fend off plenty of interest in him this summer.
Man Utd have been repeatedly linked with Osimhen as they aim to add a new number nine to their squad. However, the high asking price has been making them reconsider their plans.
According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Liverpool have now entered the race for Osimhen, whom Jurgen Klopp has chosen as the ideal centre-forward to take his side to the next level.
It was only this time last year that Liverpool were spending big on Benfica’s Darwin Nunez, but things haven’t wholly worked out yet for the Uruguay international.
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He may yet come good, but La Gazzetta seems to think Klopp could show a ruthless side by joining the race for Osimhen.
Even so, Liverpool would have to break their transfer record again in order to sign the Nigeria international. Napoli are asking for €180m (£154m) for Osimhen, which would seem to be beyond what Liverpool would pay, considering they walked away from a deal for Jude Bellingham because of the midfielder’s own high price tag.
Nevertheless, the report claims Liverpool are now four times more likely than Man Utd to secure Osimhen. The trouble is, they still only have a 20% chance in comparison to Man Utd’s 5%.
Newcastle are also given a 5% chance of signing the 24-year-old, despite their major financial backing and the fact that they and Man Utd each have Champions League football on offer next season, whereas Liverpool do not.
There seems to be a few things that don’t quite add up about the report, but it still suggests Liverpool have lodged initial contact with Osimhen’s representatives.
That said, Liverpool are waiting to find out how strict Napoli’s stance is about the player before they make any kind of concrete move.