Osimhen lost his way

Victor Osimhen was once valued at more than 100 million euros and was the target of many major European clubs.

Victor Osimhen was expected to become one of the most sensational deals of the 2024 summer transfer window. After helping Napoli win the 2022/23 Serie A championship, the Nigerian striker affirmed his class as a top European striker.

Despite improving his impressive goalscoring form in the most recent season on loan at Galatasaray, Osimhen has yet to find a new home when the transfer market has opened, a reality that contradicts previous expectations.

Original plan

Napoli and Osimhen agreed on a carefully designed transfer plan from the summer of 2023: the Nigerian striker signed a contract extension until 2026, with a release clause of €120 million, expected to take effect in the summer of 2024. The aim of both is to create conditions for Osimhen to leave after another season, while Napoli still keep the mainstay for another year and have time to prepare a replacement.

However, when the time came, the market had changed. The clubs that had been mentioned as potential destinations - Real Madrid, PSG, Chelsea, Arsenal - either had other plans, or were not willing to meet the financial conditions attached.

Real Madrid, after signing Kylian Mbappe, no longer need to add a striker. Mbappe is oriented to play as the highest striker, making Osimhen's position no longer suitable.

PSG also did not pursue a classic “number 9” in coach Luis Enrique's system. Instead, the French capital team focused on wingers such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Osimhen's former teammate at Napoli.

However, when the transfer window opened, the Nigerian striker was left in limbo, with no one buying - no one wanting to keep him.

In the Premier League, Chelsea came close to signing Osimhen but the deal fell through due to differences in wage expectations, while Arsenal and Liverpool - who also need to bolster their attack - are considering other options that are more budget-friendly and tactically sound.

On loan at Galatasaray, Osimhen had a successful season, scoring 37 goals in 41 games, playing an important role in helping the team win the domestic double. Not only maintaining his scoring form, Osimhen also demonstrated a professional attitude and team spirit, creating great sympathy in the hearts of Turkish fans.

However, Galatasaray are unlikely to make a permanent move due to financial constraints. While both sides value each other, a permanent deal remains a major hurdle without financial support or concessions from Napoli or the player.

Currently, Osimhen has not received any official offers from top clubs in the top five European leagues. Meanwhile, teams in Saudi Arabia are still showing interest and are ready to make attractive financial offers. However, Osimhen himself and his agent have affirmed that his priority is to continue playing in Europe and compete in top tournaments such as the Champions League.

Napoli are also under pressure to find a way out for Osimhen. Relations between the two sides are no longer ideal, while his salary still accounts for a significant proportion of the club's wage bill. Their recruitment of Romelu Lukaku shows a clear intention to replace Osimhen in attack.

Narrowing window

A key factor is that Osimhen's €75m release clause (available to foreign clubs) expires on July 15. After that point, if Napoli are still unable to sell, they may have to consider lower offers to avoid having to keep an unplanned player, while also easing the financial pressure from his high wages.

Currently, Osimhen has not received any official offers from top clubs in the top five European national championships.

It is possible that some clubs are waiting until closer to that point to negotiate more favorable terms. At the same time, player exchange options - for example Osimhen in exchange for Darwin Nunez (Liverpool) or Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus) - are also being considered, with all sides looking to overhaul their attack.

Victor Osimhen remains a quality striker, in the prime of his career, and capable of adapting to a variety of leagues. His lack of a new destination is not a reflection of his professional decline, but rather a result of a restructuring transfer market, changing tactical trends, and financial demands that need to be adjusted.

For Osimhen, the important thing now is to find a reasonable solution in terms of sport and economy . For Napoli, resolving this deal will help the club stabilize its force and avoid repeating the instability that occurred last season.

The transfer window is still open, and opportunities still exist, if both parties show the necessary goodwill and flexibility in negotiations.

Source: https://znews.vn/osimhen-lac-loi-post1565655.html