With the exploits of other African great players in Europe like the current African Footballer of the Year, Sadio Mane; and the Egyptian sensation, Mohammed Salah, the scamble for Osimhen’s signature by the very big European clubs may eclipse their records
By Valentine Amanze
(30-03-2923)
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen has become Africa’s hottest export to the highly competitive European football.
Banging-in goals right, left and centre has become the trademark of Osimhen, the latest pride of African football.
With the exploits of other African great players in Europe like the current African Footballer of the Year, Sadio Mane; and the Egyptian sensation, Mohammed Salah, the scamble for Osimhen’s signature by the very big European clubs may eclipse their records.
His rising profile from an obscure but a modest background was propelled by the ex-international, Emmanuel Amuneke, who managed Nigeria’s 2015 World Cup-winning U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets.
Since then, like a good product, Osimhen’s talent is marketing itself without stress.
Osimhen has played for European clubs in Germany, France and now Italy.
The experience gathered during his early mission abroad is, perhaps, what his current Italian club, Napoli, which the legendry Maradona played for, is enjoying at the moment.
Napoli, no doubt, brought out the lion in the Nigerian striker. Never in the history of football has any Nigerian striker been in hot demand than now. Osimhen is the current and future of African football at a time of scarcity of quality strkers worldwide.
No wonder great suitors, Manchester Umited, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, are wooing him.
Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has not hidden his love for Osimhen, the 24 year-old Nigerian striker.
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In fact, Ten Hag penciled him down along with Tottenham Hotspurs England striker, Harry Kane, for the next season’s football.
Though Napoli is said not willing to sell their precious jewel worth more than £100 million, no price would scare Manchester United, which are still having enough from Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit.
The Premiership club is desperately looking for high quality Top 9 striker that fits the manager’s high-pressing football.
Also, another Premier League club, Chelsea, is said to be willing to pay £100 million for Osimhen, according to Football Insider, while Bayern Munich, with new manager, Tuckel, are equally watching the development; as the management is also interested in signing a Top 9 striker.
Although Harry Kane is another target for Ten Hag, Osimhen, who has scored 25 goals in 29 games for Napoli this season, is younger, and would be an option if Tottenham fails to release Kane. Levi, the Tottenham owner, is not known for releasing players to rival clubs.
But there is strong indication that Ten Hag’s interest in Kane will sail through. Rashford is said to be influencing the bid just the way he did for Sancho.
Rashford, Kane and Sancho are key members of the Three Lions of England, as a result, wooing Kane to Manchester becomes easier.
While Manchester United are sure playing in the Europe elite club competition, Chelsea are not. They may not achieve Top Four in Premier League in the current season.
Chelsea is occupying the 10th position in the Premier League, while Manchester United are at third position currently.
Neighter Osimhen nor Kane will, with current form, not future in the Europe’s elite club competition.
As big masquerade of the European football, the only thing that could stop Kane from playing for Man United is if Real Madrid suddenly shows interest.
Also, it is said that Kane would adjust faster in Manchester United than Osimhen; but modern football is the same. If Osimhen could ajust easily from Lille to Napoli, he could do the same in England.
At present, Harry Kane is England’s all-time top goalscorer, with the Tottenham striker converting from the penalty spot as the Three Lions secured a 2-1 victory over Italy in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier.
Having achieved one major record, the 29-year-old is now focused on the next.
If the deal does not favour Osimhem, his club, with its crop of talented players, is sure to dominate Europe football next season.
Osimhen, who joined Napoli on September 1, 2020, wears number 9 shirt.
In the Italian Serie A season 2022/23, Osimhen has played 22 matches (plus 1 as a sub). They have 39 shots on target from a total of 76 shots and have scored 21 goals (18.28 xG).
Osimhen averages 12 passes per match with a pass completion rate of 72%, and has 4 assists.
He has received four yellow cards and 0 red cards.
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