Rangers of Scotland appears to relish their next UEFA champions league outing at home against Italian giants Napoli without Victor Osimhen, writes Edwin Emeanua for Sports Joust.
According to Rangers News, the official communication outlet of Rangers, the club regard the prospect of not welcoming the £82m priced Nigerian international as a major Champions League blow for Napoli.
The report reckons Osimhen to be a potent forward who joined the current Serie A leaders in 2020, with Napoli as the most expensive African player of all time.
According to Rangers News, interestingly, it was with the proceeds of this deal that the Ligue 1 side reportedly made an attempt to sign Alfredo Morelos, with the Gers said to have turned down a £16m offer for the Colombian.
But now, Victor Osimhen won’t be leading the potent Napoli attack after picking up a serious injury in the Italian’s 4-1 Group A opening day crushing of Champions League rivals Liverpool.
The attacker went off for Giovanni Simeone just before half-time in the victory and Napoli has since confirmed that the player won’t be available for five weeks due to a bicep injury.
“As scheduled, Victor Osimhen underwent diagnostic tests this morning which revealed a second-degree injury to his right bicep,” reads a club statement.
“The blue striker had already started carrying out therapies yesterday.”
When any side loses a player of such value and significance it is of course a major blow, with Rangers subsequently boosted by Napoli losing Victor Osimhen.
But Luciano Spalletti’s side boasts plenty of attacking options and Rangers will need to be aware of them all.
Giovanni Simeone – the man who came on to replace Victor Osimhen – netted instantly after coming on for the Nigerian the 4-1 win over Liverpool whilst loan striker Giacomo Raspadori got the weekend’s table-topping winner against Spezia.
Mexican winger Hirving Lozano represents a major threat from outright whilst summer signing and Georgian talent Khvicha Kvaratskhelia continues to impress.
The attacker has had an exceptional start to life in Italy and Rangers will need to keep him quiet to get anything from the game at Ibrox.
