Napoli’s star striker, Victor Osimhen, has sparked interest in the Premier League with his recent comments about his dream of playing in England’s top flight. The 24-year-old has been in scintillating form for Napoli this season, netting an impressive 19 goals in 21 Serie A appearances and playing a pivotal role in his team’s commanding lead at the top of the league table.
Osimhen’s exceptional performances have caught the attention of clubs across Europe, with Manchester United reportedly among the potential suitors looking to secure his services in the upcoming summer transfer window. It has been revealed that Erik ten Hag’s side has already initiated discussions for his possible acquisition.
Following Napoli’s unexpected 1-0 defeat to Lazio, Osimhen’s comments about his desire to play in the Premier League are likely to intensify interest from English clubs. Speaking to the press after being honored as the ‘Best Foreign Athlete of the Year’ by the Italian Foreign Press Association, Osimhen expressed his ambition to compete in one of the world’s top five leagues.
“The Premier League is regarded by many as the best and strongest league, and playing in it would be an amazing feeling for me,” Osimhen revealed. “Currently, I am in one of the best leagues in the world, which is the Italian Serie A. However, I am working diligently to fulfill my dream of playing in the Premier League someday. It is a process, and I am determined to maintain this momentum and continue performing well.”
Manchester United, in particular, is in search of a striker to bolster their squad after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo last December, and with loanee Wout Weghorst set to return to Burnley at the end of the season. Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy suggests that while there is interest in Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Osimhen’s age aligns more closely with the profile of player United is targeting.
Reddy explained, “While there are clear reasons why Manchester United would be attracted to Harry Kane, such as reigniting the offensive chemistry between him and Christian Eriksen, my understanding is that United ideally prefer a younger and dynamic profile like Osimhen.”
Interest from the Premier League in Osimhen predates his move to Napoli. As early as 2019, Sky Sports reported that Liverpool, Tottenham, and Chelsea were closely monitoring the then-Lille forward’s progress. Despite spending only one season in Ligue 1, during which he scored 18 goals, Osimhen’s impressive performances convinced Napoli to secure his services for a fee of up to €80m (£71m).
According to Sky Italia’s Filippo Benincampi, Osimhen possesses exceptional qualities that make him an ideal fit for the Premier League. Benincampi highlighted Osimhen’s outstanding attributes, including his pace, strength, hunger for goals, and versatility in scoring with both feet and his head. The Sky Italia analyst believes that Osimhen’s skill set aligns perfectly with the fast-paced nature of the Premier League and predicts that he would thrive in such an environment.
With Osimhen’s desire to play in the Premier League now public, the upcoming transfer window promises to be an intriguing time as clubs vie for his signature, hoping to secure the services of one of Europe’s most promising strikers.
