EPL: Nicol gives Arsenal one big reason to sign Osimhen
Just last summer, Victor Osimhen was the bride in demand for many European clubs.
The Napoli striker was wanted not just across the continent by Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, even clubs from the Middle East were very interested.
Some reports claimed Saudi Arabian teams were offering Osimhen up to £1million a week to sign.
But the 25-year-old opted to continue for one more season in Naples, a city where he had attained demigod status, after helping win their first Serie A title in 33 years.
However, part of the agreement struck for him to stay was a new contract that contained a €130million release clause.
This was to ease his departure this summer.
However, the suitors have all dried up.
Despite sending former African players at the club like John Mikel Obi and Didier Drogba to be deal sweeteners, Chelsea have been notoriously quiet.
Mikel Arteta at Arsenal tried to bring in Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
After the Slovakian striker opted to sign a new contract, Arteta appears to have moved away from his desire to get a new frontman.
United have officially unveiled Joshua Zirkzee who arrived from Bologna.
The only European club who have tried to get Osimhen this summer is Paris Saint-Germain. But even the Ligue 1 champions are not pulling out all the stops.
Despite the Super Eagles star being available at a discount price, PSG are not ready to stump up €100million. Rather, they tried to send Kang-in Lee the other way in addition to cash.
Napoli have turned it down.
And that leaves only Saudi clubs as the real option.
So, how did Osimhen get here?
Telema Davies, Strategy Consultant and Coordinating Secretary, Sport Nigeria LTD/GTE, believes it is down to his attitude problem.
“Given his recent rant and personal attack on the person of Finidi George, it wouldn’t come as a surprise,”
“His outburst was not well-informed, bearing in mind that it was just about the same time the summer transfer window opened.
“Clubs are taking steps to checkmate such egoistic behaviour as it is widely recognised as negative energy which can influence the dressing room of any football team and contravenes the culture of teams particularly in creating a united and sustainably competitive environment for players and backroom staff.
“It’s quite a shock to see that a player of Osimhen’s talents and on-field persona is experiencing a drawback in terms of convincing transfer interests.
“So much news around him is no doubt speculative, but it should be considered a concern to not have a definitive interest locked in.”
Clinton McDubus, a top football analyst and podcaster, adds that Osimhen’s injury problems all stand in the way.
“On record, I can only say that teams are probably worried about his injury history.
“And the fact they know Napoli are desperate to sell means they probably want to stall until the price comes down.”
The only concrete interest in Osimhen, who is the reigning CAF Footballer of the Year, is from Saudi Arabia.
Paris Saint-Germain appeared to be keen for a minute, but are dragging their feet at his price tag.
“PSG already splashed around €200m on two strikers last year,” McDubus adds.
“They’re not willing to pay another €120m for another striker, especially considering the risk involved.
“They will only sign him if it’s around £70m probably, as that’s nowhere as risky.”
McDubus goes on to say a move to Saudi “would be terrible” and “would be the end of his time at the top.”
Interestingly, Napoli are not fighting to keep Osimhen.
New manager, Antonio Conte, is waiting to see his back so he can be reunited with Romelu Lukaku.
“The thing with Conte is, he wants what he wants. If he doesn’t get it, he starts throwing tantrums,” McDubus says.
“They will try to get him his Lukaku.
“And there’s a chance he has seen the video Osimhen made on Finidi and won’t want such a player.
“They will find a way to ship Osimhen out. The entire club doesn’t want him anymore, clearly. Too much baggage.
“If it means Saudi, they will force it.”
About The Author
