Transfer Centre

Liverpool join race for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen?

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 13 February 2023

Liverpool reportedly join the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is also wanted by the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Liverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

The 24-year-old has been in electric form in front of goal for the Serie A leaders so far this season, scoring 23 goals in 24 matches across all competitions.

Osimhen has now netted a total of 46 times in 84 appearances for Napoli since joining the club in 2020, and his recent form is understood to have caught the eye of a number of top European clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.

Manchester United are believed to have identified Osimhen as a potential target as they continue to search for a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Big-spenders Chelsea are also said to have an interest in the Nigeria international and are allegedly prepared to pay 'whatever it takes' to recruit the striker next summer.

Victor Osimhen in action for Napoli on September 7, 2022 © Reuters

The likes of Arsenal, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest in Osimhen, but Fichajes claims that Liverpool are the latest club to join the race for his signature.

Last summer, Jurgen Klopp's side splashed the cash on striker Darwin Nunez, who moved to Anfield from Benfica in a deal which could rise to a club-record £85m.

Liverpool then further bolstered their attacking ranks with the £37m arrival of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven in the January transfer window.

The Reds could consider stepping up their interest in Osimhen this summer if Roberto Firmino decides to leave the club, with the Brazilian's contract expiring in June.

Interested clubs may find it difficult to prise Osimhen away from Napoli, though, with club president Aurelio de Laurentiis recently insisting that the striker is not for sale.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen celebrates scoring their first goal with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Giovanni Di Lorenzo on January 13, 2023 © Reuters

"I can tell you that Osimhen is not for sale. Our players are in demand, but I don't have to sell anyone. We don't have any debts," De Laurentiis told Bild, as quoted by journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Osimhen himself has played down speculation over a big-money switch elsewhere, telling Il Mattino last month: "[Napoli are] one of the best clubs in Europe and I want to win here.

"The future is this moment, try to win something relevant in Italy. It's hard to think about something better than Napoli, one of the best clubs in Italy, right now.

"I am only focused on this season because we haven't done anything yet. We must win something and then we'll see what happens."

Osimhen, who is valued in excess of £100m by Napoli, is under contract at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium until June 2025.