Osimhen: We are back to the same old stories of Arsenal and Chelsea interest after PSG snub
Apart from a report on Monday linking Liverpool to Napoli striker Victor Osimhen to a move to Anfield, it's back to the same old stories of Arsenal and Chelsea showing interest.
In a report on Monday, Liverpool was reported as the latest club to be linked with a transfer for wantaway Osimhen.
Paris Saint-Germain were also pondering over a switch for him but even the rich Ligue 1 side has been deterred by Napoli’s firm demands coupled with the striker’s inclination towards joining a Premier League club.
According to Express, Osimhen is the leading name on Arne Slot’s transfer shortlist after Arsenal and Chelsea were priced out of his signing some weeks ago as a result of the £110 million asking price.
PSG are expected to back Slot in the transfer window. Liverpool’s financial situation is also significantly better than that of other clubs, so there is reason to believe that they may be able to sanction Osimhen’s transfer.
They need a replacement for Mohamed Salah and while the Nigerian marksman is not a like-for-like option, he still provides a potent goal threat and can very possibly better his Egyptian counterpart’s numbers at Anfield.
Slot has been keen on Osimhen since May and was reportedly ready to offload Darwin Nunez to make way for him, although interest in the ex-Benfica star’s services is very limited within Europe.
Osimhen’s signing would make Liverpool’s attack foolproof as he would be complemented on the wings by Cody Gakpo, who heads into the upcoming season having won the Golden Boot at Euro 2024, and Salah in his maiden campaign.
In the longer run, there remain many quality options at the club, including Diogo Jota while there will also be an imminent investment in a right winger to positionally replace Salah.
Apart from the above, Corriere dello Sport details how Arsenal and Chelsea have both been in contact with Napoli in recent days to open a new round of talks for Osimhen, obtaining information as they ponder over a possible move.
The Italian side’s new manager Antonio Conte reportedly wants to bring Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku to the Diego Maradona Stadium if Osimhen does leave, as expected.
As we have previously reported, Osimhen is open to the prospect of joining Chelsea but the big hurdle to any potential deal is his sky-high valuation.
The 25-year-old has a £110m release clause in his contract and Napoli are very reluctant to let him go for less. They’ve already turned down a €90m (£76m) bid from Paris Saint-Germain.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Napoli are keen
to sign Lukaku ‘as soon as possible’ and they could be open to discussing Osimhen as part of the talks with Chelsea.
Lukaku is due to return to training at Chelsea’s base in Cobham this week having spent two seasons on loan at Inter and Roma. It is understood that the 31-year-old will train alongside those squad members who have not travelled to the United States for the club’s tour, including defender Trevoh Chalobah, who has been made available for transfer.
