Chelsea could pay as much as €150million for Nigerian and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in the summer transfer window.
Osimhen is a target for the Blues, as revealed earlier in the month by football.london, although there is set to be immense competition for the striker’s signature after a mouthwatering season in Italy helping Napoli win their first Serie A title in over 30 years.
“He’s been sensationally good,” Serie A journalist Siavoush Fallahi said to football.london in an exclusive interview.
“He’s the top scorer so far and scored goals in big games. I think he’s been the MVP of the season so far seeing how much he has given to Napoli.
“Napoli were unlucky he got injured at the national team break just before the Champions League quarterfinals against Milan because otherwise things could’ve gone differently. Remember Napoli won a historical title and Osimhen is one of the most important, if not the most important player for that.”
Fallahi added: “I think he has everything to succeed in the Premier League. He has speed, physicality, and work ethic. He’d be great for anyone that signed him.”
Osimhen is extremely quick; his runs off the ball on the shoulder of the last defender have been a regular fixture this season for Napoli with all of their success. It’s something Chelsea don’t have a lot of now – particularly from a No.9. To fit into a Pochettino side, though, any player will be required to press off the ball.
Fallahi, however, does not think Osimhen should be told to press as much as his teammates. Instead, the Serie A expert believes Osimhen’s energy should be reserved somewhat so it can be exploited in other areas of the game.
“I don’t think he should be used much for that [pressing],” he explained. “He’s a good presser, because he’s a great runner, but seeing how good he is on the run I wouldn’t want him to waste all of his energy in defence.”
Any deal for Osimhen would not come cheap. The 24-year-old striker is one of European football’s hottest properties right now and interest in him has never been higher after a record-breaking campaign for Napoli. The Italian club, also, have proved in the past a difficult club to negotiate with.
Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is a tough negotiator and will always prove a stubborn character to ensure he gets every single penny possible for his players. It looks as if this summer will be the same for Osimhen, although football.london was told earlier in the month that he is categorically not for sale.
“I think it would be very expensive to buy him from Napoli,” Fallahi said.
“Napoli doesn’t need to sell, he has a good contract length and De Laurentiis isn’t the president that easily sells his stars. He probably would consider an offer starting from €150million [£130m], especially to Premier League sides.”