Newcastle United are among a few Premier League clubs interested in signing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
The Nigerian international, 23, has shone for Napoli this season, bagging 15 goals in 25 appearances. Following a cheekbone injury, he remained out of action for nearly two months and only returned to action in mid-January. And his performances have caught the eye of several clubs across Europe, especially from the Premier League.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Newcastle United are plotting a summer swoop for Victor Osimhen, but they will have to battle with Premier League rivals such as Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham for his signature.
The cash-rich Magpies had tabled an official bid to sign the Nigerian striker from Napoli in the January transfer window and will make a renewed attempt to acquire his services when the transfer window reopens.
Arsenal, Spurs and Man United are also keeping tabs on the 23-year-old forward, although the Naples-based club are in no rush to sell their star, whose contract runs until 2025, the report adds. The club’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis would only entertain offers around the €100million price tag.
Victor Osimhen to Newcastle United – The ideal forward to kick-start their new era?
Newcastle United have enjoyed a renaissance in fortunes since the last month or so and now find themselves nine points above the drop zone. Even though they lost their last two games before the international break, they are a club on the up under Eddie Howe.
A lot of Premier League clubs like Osimhen but Napoli don’t want to sell him. It would take an offer of at least €100M after rejecting Newcastle’s bid in January
📰 Gazzetta pic.twitter.com/GceWcX95WD
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) March 21, 2022
The Magpies flexed their muscle in the January transfer window by signing as many as five players and the theme could continue in the summer, with the club all but safe in the topflight. The team has struggled for goals from the centre of the pitch, with Callum Wilson enduring another injury-hit campaign and Dwight Gayle not good enough to lead the attack, thereby necessitating a striker’s arrival in the summer.
As a result, Newcastle’s interest in Victor Osimhen makes sense. Osimhen is having another strong campaign in Naples as he has produced a series of productive performances while leading the attack for Luciano Spalletti’s side.
The Lagos-born striker has led the line well based on his average of 3.3 shots, 0.6 key passes and 1.2 dribbles per 90 minutes in Serie A. However, the 23-year-old needs to take better care of the ball when holding up the opposition players in the final third, as demonstrated by his 67% pass success rate. (Stats courtesy: Whoscored)
Standing at 6ft 1ns tall, Osimhen is a powerhouse of a striker who can shrug off his opponents with ease, carry the ball forward with speed over long distances and finish off chances with aplomb. He is a real handful in the box and can win his fair share of aerial duels for his team.
At 23, the Nigerian international is still relatively young and must improve a few facets of his game to unlock his true potential. He would add some physicality, pace and goals to Howe’s attack, whilst being a straight upgrade over Gayle.
Overall, Osimhen will be a smashing option for the Magpies to commence their exciting rebuilding project at St. James’ Park.
