Cavani: Osimhen is the real deal, his work rate very high

Former Napoli striker Edinson Cavani has opened up on his admiration for the ‘incredible’ Victor Osimhen with the Napoli hero potentially set to follow in his Premier League footsteps at Old Trafford.

As prolific as Edinson Cavani was during a three-year spell in Serie A between 2010 and 2013, not even the iconic Uruguayan achieved what Victor Osimhen did in that baby blue kit.

A Capocannoniere and Scudetto double? Has any Napoli player enjoyed a season quite as remarkable as this since the Diego Maradona heydey?

No wonder Aurelio de Laurentiis’ Serie A champions is demanding up to £130 million. A fee that would make Osimhen one of football’s most expensive ever players.

According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are laying the groundwork for a potentially eye-watering bid, sending scouts to watch Osimhen in the flesh. And, presumably, they like what they see.

If the Nigeria international is not quite the final piece in Erik ten Hag’s jigsaw, then he’s certainly one who makes the overall picture a lot more visible, a tally of 28 goals in 37 games across 2022/23 seeing Osimhen emerge as one of the leading candidates for a United side praying for a genuinely world-leading number nine. 

 “Osimhen? I really like his hunger. He’s incredible. He never gives up,” Cavani, one Manchester United striker of the past, says of what could be a Manchester United striker of the future (Radio Kiss Kiss).

“In the end, that (work rate) is what makes you a difference-maker and makes you a competitive player.

“He has everything to continue growing and to become one of the best strikers in the world. The Scudetto was won thanks to his hunger.”

Whether or not Manchester United can even think about meeting Napoli’s colossal price-tag, however, depends on how this ongoing takeover debacle turns out.

And also on whether Ten Hag can free up funds by finding buyers for the likes of Harry Maguire, Dean Henderson and Scott McTominay.

“A lot of people worldwide consider the Premier League as the best and the strongest league. But now I’m in one of the best leagues in the world; the Italian Serie A,” Osimhen told The Athletic recently.

“I’m working so hard to make sure that I achieve my dream of playing in the Premier League some day. But, like I said, it’s a process. And I just want to keep on this momentum and continue to do well.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea are still pushing to sign Osimhen.

According to new reports, Osimhen is at the top of Chelsea’s list of potential new strikers and the club are still pushing to sign him despite his huge price tag.

It is believed Chelsea must sell players before they can sign Osimhen while the fact the Blues have missed out on the Champions League could be ‘problematic’ in their hopes of landing his signature.

However, Chelsea could use one of their wantaway stars in a deal to sign Osimhen as they attempt to bring his price down and offload some squad members.

Napoli are reportedly interested in Hakim Ziyech and there is a feeling that he could be used in the Osimhen deal.

The Blues want to offload around 10 players this summer and have already indicated that Morocco winger Ziyech will be put up for sale.