Man Utd? Chelsea? Where next for Napoli goal-machine Osimhen
Following Napoli's Scudetto success, the Partenopei can command hefty fees for the star performers in their title triumph. Kim Min-Jae has been linked with a move to Manchester United, while star striker Victor Osimhen is another who may yet leave the Serie A powerhouse in the off season.
Osimhen scored more goals (26) and earned a better WhoScored rating (7.45) than any other player in Italy's top tier last term, and Napoli won't sell the Nigerian hitman for cheap. Those with deep pockets and in need of a new striker will need to splash the cash to match Napoli's demands for the 24-year-old, and while the Serie A powerhouse will be reluctant to lose Osimhen this summer, given the nature of the game, it's impossible to completely rule out a possible exit until the transfer window closes.
Here, we pick out a handful of teams in need of a new striker who could look to spend big on the Nigeria international this summer.
Striker should be a priority position for Chelsea this summer, and Victor Osimhen should be their number one target. The Blues scored just 38 league goals last season, while Kai Havertz was their top scorer with seven goals to his name. For a side that, in the long run, harbours title ambitions, they need a high-scoring frontman.
Now, caution must be applied for any striker that makes a big money move to Stamford Bridge. The Number 9 curse is real, with any frontman in the game thriving elsewhere, but forgetting where the back of the net is in west London. Could Osimhen be the man to end their goalscoring woes?
Osimhen had more shots (135) than any other player in Serie A last season, so is confident in his quest for goal, which would vastly improve a Blues outfit that ranked eighth for shots (484) in England's top tier last term, that 34 fewer than a Tottenham side that, as we all know, had their own attacking issues in 2022/23. If the Blues are willing to loosen the purse strings once more to land another frontman, then Osimhen should be the one they go all out for.
Another side in need of a new striker this summer, Manchester United's goal issues didn't hinder what was a successful debut campaign under Erik ten Hag. However, they netted just 58 league goals last term, the second fewest of those to finish in the top eight, while Marcus Rashford was the only player to hit double figures for goals scored of United players, ending the season with 17 to his name.
Wout Weghorst scored just the once during his loan spell at Old Trafford, while Anthony Martial ended the campaign with six league goals. It's easy to see why United are keen on going all out on a frontman this summer. Of course, United will be wary about being dragged into a bidding war that could rumble on throughout the window.
Real Madrid look to have leapfrogged United in the race of Harry Kane, that's if Los Blancos can convince Tottenham to sell their star striker, while Ten Hag's side appear to be focussing their efforts on young Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund. Despite Osimhen's haul for Napoli last season, United are unlikely to enter any potential battle to land the former Lille goal machine.
Bayern Munich never really replaced Robert Lewandowski when he left for Barcelona last summer, and it certainly showed. Bayern may have scored more goals (92) than any other team in the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign, but that they allowed rivals Borussia Dortmund to run them so close in the title race suggests that FC Hollywood will be active in the market to solidify their position as Germany's best side.
The Sadio Mane experiment failed to have the desired affect in Bavaria last term and that saw experienced pair Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting and Thomas Muller lead the charge where needed. The duo are now 34 and 33 years of age, respectively, and fresh blood is needed if Bayern are to remain competitive, not just on the domestic front, but in Europe too.
That being said, Bayern don't have the same spending power as some of their Premier League rivals. Any move for Osimhen would likely be blown out of the water by the financal might of England's top tier, which in turn minimises their chances of securing the Napoli star's services. In addition, Bayern are believed to be monitoring another Serie A striker, Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic, and if they sign the Serb, then that all but rules them out of the quest to land Osimhen.
Karim Benzema's departure for Saudi Professional League side Al-Ittihad leaves Los Blancos in need of a new striker. For any side desperate to retain the services of their star forward, this should be a major concern - here's looking at you Tottenham - as once Real Madrid set their eyes on a prize, they usually return to Madrid with their top target in tow.
The Spanish powerhouse may be reluctant to spend big on Harry Kane this summer - the Spurs forward does turn 30 next month - and if they do decide to alter their plans and pursue a youngster alternative to succeed Benzema, then Osimhen could be the perfect pick up for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Only Bayern Munich (14.4) created more goalscoring chances per game than Real Madrid (13.8) in Europe's top five leagues last season, and given Osimhen's penchant for trying his luck, it could prove a match made in heaven. A forward line of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior either side of Osimhen could well dominate Spanish and European football for years to come.
