Victor Osimhen is in high demand this summer after an exceptional season at Napoli last term. The forward fired Luciano Spalletti’s side to a first league title in more than three decades and ended the campaign as Serie A’s leading scorer.
Europe’s elite clubs are understood to be considering an approach for the Nigeria international, who has scored 50 league goals in just 89 appearances for Napoli.
The Italian champions value the 24-year-old in excess of £100m and only Europe’s wealthiest will be able to compete for his signature.
So for those of you interested in betway online sports betting, let’s look at the bookmakers’ five favourites to sign Victor Osimhen.
Real Madrid – 12/1
Real Madrid are expected to make a statement signing at centre-forward in the near future, following Karim Benzema’s shock decision to leave the club this summer.
Benzema’s departure to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad has left a gaping hole in the Spanish side’s attack, with the Ballon d’Or winner having scored 354 goals – including 31 in all competitions last season – during a decorated career at the Bernabeu.
Air Osimhen ✈️#UCL pic.twitter.com/GOZZ1rhTXm
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 29, 2023
Real Madrid have signed Joselu from relegated Espanyol to add to their options, but the veteran former Stoke and Newcastle striker is not viewed as a direct Benzema replacement despite recent success in La Liga.
Osimhen could represent a long-term option to replace Benzema, if Real Madrid are willing to meet the forward’s sizeable price-tag.
Kylian Mbappe’s recent declaration that he will not sign a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain is likely to have impacted Real Madrid’s transfer plans however, with the France captain a long-term target for the Bernabeu board.
Bayern Munich – 12/1
Bayern Munich are another of Europe’s top clubs in search of a centre-forward, having failed to replace the goals of Robert Lewandowski after his sale to Barcelona last summer.
Thomas Tuchel’s side suffered a disappointing exit in the Champions League and have moved quickly to strengthen ahead of the new campaign, securing the free transfer arrivals of Raphaël Guerreiro and Konrad Laimer from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
A deal for Napoli defender Kim Min-jae has also been agreed and Bayern could be tempted to launch a move to reunite Osimhen with the South Korean centre-back in Munich.
Bayern would need to significantly increase their transfer record to sign the Nigerian, with the Bavarian’s current record arrival the £68.5m capture of Lucas Hernandez from Atletico Madrid.
The club’s focus is understood to be on a move for Tottenham’s Harry Kane, perhaps a more attainable addition given he has entered the final season of his contract.
Chelsea – 9/2
Chelsea have been credited as admirers of Osimhen, who has admitted he grew up idolising Didier Drogba.
Chelsea are in the process of a rebuild under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, following the club’s worst league season since 1994/95. The west Londoners ended the Premier League campaign 12th to miss out on European football, with a lack of goals a major issue.
Victor Osimhen does it once again! 🎯
Chest, knee, volley, BOOM!
Incredible stuff from Napoli’s striker to open the scoring 🙌 pic.twitter.com/0aV0Bdm9Sk
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 29, 2023
The Blues scored just 38 goals in 38 league games, the second-lowest scoring campaign in the club’s history. Chelsea have lacked a reliable source of goals since Diego Costa’s departure six years ago and Osimhen could be the ideal solution, despite the recent additions of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku. The 24-year-old has discussed his ‘dream’ of playing in the Premier League.
Paris Saint-Germain – 9/2
Paris Saint-Germain are another team rebuilding this summer with the club keen to repair a fractious dressing room and challenge in Europe.
Lionel Messi has departed the Parc des Princes, while Kylian Mbappe could also exit after informing the club that he will not renew his contract which expires next summer.
PSG are understood to be keen to sell Mbappe and his sale could provide the funds required to launch a move for Osimhen.
The Nigeria international has reservations over a return to France after a previous spell at Lille, but the prospect of leading a new-look PSG side – strengthened by the soon-to-be-announced additions of Marco Asensio, Manuel Ugarte, Lucas Hernandez and Milan Skriniar – could appeal.
Manchester United – 7/2
Manchester United are the bookmakers favourites to sign Victor Osimhen this summer with a centre-forward high on the club’s list of priorities for the summer transfer window.
Erik ten Hag is keen to bring in a number nine after an over-reliance on Marcus Rashford for goals last season, with Anthony Martial having failed to convince and Wout Weghorst’s loan not extended after an underwhelming spell that saw the Dutchman fail to score in 17 league appearances.
Victor Osimhen fires home to put Napoli back on track for the Scudetto 💥 pic.twitter.com/SjETQmcwZa
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 4, 2023
Osimhen is the calibre of centre-forward who could help transform Ten Hag’s team into challengers at the top end of the division, but affording a deal will be difficult. Ten Hag is working on a restricted budget as a result of Financial Fair Play rules and the uncertain takeover situation at Old Trafford, with Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojland considered as a more affordable alternative.
Expect that situation to change however, if a takeover is finalised and funds are made available.
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