Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has showered Victor Osimhen in praise on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, amid reports Newcastle United are plotting a revived offer for the striker’s transfer.
Osimhen has enjoyed a strong season as the focal point of Luciano Spalletti’s attack at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. The Nigeria international has fired home 13 goals and created four over 24 matches in all competitions. He also has nine after 19 Serie A outings.
His performances in Naples have also put the 23-year-old on shortlists around Europe, as top clubs prepare for summer spending. Area Napoli cite Newcastle as leading Manchester United and Real Madrid in a possible battle for Osimhen’s transfer if they avoid relegation.
Newcastle had explored a move for Osimhen during the January transfer sales, as well, but Napoli rejected the Toon’s advances. Corriere dello Sport note the Magpies offered €100m (£84m), and expect Eddie Howe will return to the Azzurri with a tweaked bid this summer.
United may stand a superior chance of prising the 18-cap forward from Spalletti’s clutches at the end of the season. Napoli would have been loath to sell Osimhen in January as they challenge for the Serie A title. The Toon are also looking much more likely to secure safety.
Anguissa in awe of ‘unbeatable’ Osimhen as Newcastle plot bid for Napoli striker
Osimhen’s displays have helped Napoli sit second in Serie A to AC Milan by three points at the 29-game mark. He also helped them reach the Europa League knockout stages before losing to Barcelona over two-legs. So, Spalletti would have been loath to risk their success.
Newcastle have also pulled nine points clear of the drop zone, despite losing at Everton on Thursday night. The Magpies saw out the mid-season market in 18th, having won just two games all season. They have now won seven, after winning five of their last eight matches.
Howe may have, potentially, been able to avoid dropping points at Goodison Park, Chelsea and West Ham with Osimhen. A striker who his Azzurri teammate, Anguissa, can only wax lyrical about after a season together in the Serie A, having joined him in Naples last year.
“He is a great fighter,” Anguissa enthused, via quotes by TuttoMercatoWEB. “Bold, strong, surprising, unbeatable. I have many adjectives for Victor.”
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