Napoli is now Resigned to losing Nigeria’s prolific striker to the ‘highest bidder’
By Ed Emeanua
Football Insider states PSG is ready to outmatch any interest from their English rivals. The report says that the Ligue 1 giants are prepared to propose a whopping €150m (£132.48m) for Osimhen during the next transfer window.
Osimhen to become Mbappe and Mesi’s teammates © Reuters
This negates past reports that PSG will be focused on fulfilling FFP criteria before 2023-24. PSG also doubts the lengthy futures of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, who have been associated with past requests to leave Parc des Princes.
The pair have accounted for 35 of PSG’s 73 goals in France’s top flight this season, and PSG is said to be interested in cashing in on Cameroon-born Hugo Ekitike once a permanent deal is pushed through later this year. Bayern Munich is equally said to be closely watching developments concerning Osimhen’s future as they plan to sign a new center forward.
Napoli has turned to Roma’s Tammy Abraham as a replacement for their want-away Nigeria prolific striker, who is also wanted on the paybooks of a slew of Europe’s top club-sides for next season’s football.
Il Corriere dello Sport reports that Manchester United and Bayern Munich are now the front teams in the race for the ex-Wolfsburg forward, but Napoli will not let go of their prized asset for less than £150m, the UK Mail Online claims.
Clamoroso Napoli, c'è Abraham in pole per il dopo Osimhen! 🤯#CorrieredelloSport #Napoli #Osimhen #Abraham https://t.co/xABKm43L6W
— Corriere dello Sport (@CorSport) April 22, 2023
It is also reported that Roma striker Abraham is a consideration for replacing the Nigeria striker, who Napoli is now resigned to losing to either Manchester United or Bayern Munich. Osimhen is Serie A top scorer and one of the most in-demand strikers in Europe. He has scored 26 times in 31 appearances for Napoli in all competitions this season and is one of world football’s most highly sought-after strikers.
The Serie A table-topers have closely watched Roma forward Abraham, Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund, and Osimhen’s compatriot, Victor Okoh Boniface, currently owned by Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.
Napoli is anticipating losing Osimhen in the summer transfer window, forcing Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli to compile a list of likely replacements. According to the report, Abraham tops the list to replace Osimhen if the 23-year-old leaves the Stadio Maradona in the summer.
Meanwhile, SportsMole reports that Paris Saint-Germain is ready to overbid Chelsea’s offer for the Napoli forward. Since coming to Naples in 2020, Osimhen has become a top attacker in European football, scoring 54 times from 93 matches in all competitions. While Napoli was knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage in midweek, the team enjoys a 14-point lead at the summit of the Serie A standing.
President Aurelio De Laurentiis has often maintained his club’s lack of interest in selling Osimhen during the summer transfer window. However, with just over two years left on the forward’s deal, Napoli could likely sell the player and reinvest the proceeds in their squad.
Osimhen’s value continues to rise © Reuters
The Nigeria international has often admitted his desire to play in the Premier League, and many clubs have expressed interest in the forward in the past. Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea have all been cited as possible points for future landings for the 24-year-old, who has been tipped to cost over £150m.
Meanwhile, Manchester United continues the search for a permanent replacement for Portugal international forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who parted with the club in November. This season, United has registered 46 goals in the Premier League, a far cry from Arsenal’s massive 77 hits into the net and Manchester City’s 78 strikes into the goalposts of their opposition.
The £150 million valued Osimhen is reportedly sought-after by Spain’s giants Real Madrid. Chelsea has also been cited for their interest in the striker, with Chelsea great Didier Drogba advising against a move to Paris Saint-Germain as it would not benefit the forward.
