Liverpool reportedly mulled over signing 25-year-old out-of-favour Napoli striker Victor Osimhen during the summer transfer window.
According to a report from Corriere dello Sport, Liverpool briefly considered a move for Victor Osimhen. However, they decided to abandon their pursuit of the 25-year-old eventually. Chelsea were keen on the Nigerian international as well, but they could not agree on a deal because of the player’s wage demands.
Liverpool currently have Darwin Nunez as the only specialist striker at the club. However, the South American has faced intense criticism for his mediocre finishing last season. Even though he scored 18 goals in all competitions, his finishing was hardly reliable, and he missed plenty of big chances throughout the season. Naturally, Liverpool were linked with strikers earlier this summer, but they chose to invest in a goalkeeper and a winger.
Osimhen would have improved Liverpool
Osimhen is a top class player who has proven himself in European football. The Nigerian striker has recently helped Napoli when the league title, and he scored 17 goals in all competitions last season. There is no doubt that he would have improved Liverpool immensely. However, he would have been an expensive acquisition.
The only way Liverpool could have afforded him is if they had sanctioned the departure of Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan international was linked with a move away from the club in recent months, but the Reds decided to keep him at the club in the end.
Meanwhile, Osimhen failed to secure a move away from Napoli before the Serie A or Premier League transfer deadlines ended. Chelsea chased his signature for several weeks before a move failed to materialise. They even considered a deadline-day swoop but could not convince the player. He will have to move to other foreign clubs now where the transfer window still remains open.
Saudi Arabian clubs are keen on the Nigerian international, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up. A player of his quality should have joined the top European club, and the 25-year-old will be thoroughly disappointed with this situation.
Osimhen has fallen out of favour at Napoli, and he was recently left out of their league and European squad as well. The Serie A outfit are desperate to get rid of him, and the relationship between the player and the club is damaged beyond repair.
