Napoli star Victor Osimhen could now complicate any efforts that Liverpool or Manchester United make for his transfer this summer. He is highly sought-after amid a superb season.
That is according to Ben Jacobs, who now reports that convincing Osimhen to leave Napoli will be as vital as agreeing on a fee with his Serie A side. The forward is happy at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and must be induced to leave Luciano Spalletti’s promising side.
Osimhen has helped fire Napoli to the top of the Serie A standings this term with a league-high 18 goals. He recorded his latest effort on Friday night in a 2-0 win at Sassuolo to move 18 points clear at the top. The 24-year-old has featured in 19 of his team’s 23 games so far.
Manchester United are showing a keen interest in Osimhen’s transfer in line with his form at Napoli this term. But the Azzurri will demand above market value for the 23-cap Nigeria international whom Gary Lineker calls ‘talented’. He is under contract in Naples until 2025.
Reports by 90min even note Napoli value Osimhen at €150m (£133.5m), which has not put Chelsea off his transfer. The Blues view the Lagos native as their top striker target. But the Stamford Bridge outfit hope to include Romelu Lukaku in any move to lower the actual fee.
Man Utd are preparing a bid to beat Liverpool to Osimhen’s transfer from Napoli
Also, Calciomercato reports that Manchester United are now preparing a £107m bid to pip interest from Liverpool in Osimhen’s transfer from Napoli. The bid would match the British record £107m that Chelsea paid Benfica to sign Enzo Fernandez during the January market.
Napoli can also point to interest from Arsenal, Newcastle United and Bayern Munich to set a high asking price, per TuttoMercatoWEB. The Gunners, Toon and FCB are also exploring moves for Osimhen for the summer window. So, any suitor should have their work cut out.
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