PSG enter race to sign Osimhen against Arsenal, Man Utd
Paris Saint-Germain have entered the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, according to reports in France.
Osimhen, 24, has emerged as one of the most in-demand strikers in European football this season after firing Napoli to the top of Serie A.
The Nigeria international has scored 21 goals in 26 games in all competitions to set Napoli on course for their first league title since 1990.
Luciano Spalletti’s side are currently 15 points clear of their closest rivals Inter Milan, despite losing to Lazio last Friday.
Napoli are also through the last 16 of the Champions League, where they hold a 2-0 lead over Eintracht Frankfurt ahead of Wednesday’s second leg in Italy.
Osimhen has attracted the attention of several top clubs around Europe, including Premier League sides Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
United are in need of a new striker after allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to leave the club in November.
They are particularly interested in Osimhen, with Tottenham striker Harry Kane another option for the Red Devils.
Meanwhile, Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is reportedly prepared to continue his spending spree by bringing Osimhen to Stamford Bridge.
But he is unlikely to come cheap, with Napoli expected to demand at least €100million (£89.7m) for the forward.
PSG interested
The English clubs are set to face competition for his signature, with PSG also interested in signing him this summer.
L’Equipe, as reported by Get French Football News, claim PSG sporting advisor Luis Campos recently held a meeting with Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda over a potential transfer to the Parc des Princes.
However, PSG’s attempts to sign Osimhen could be hampered by the club’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) concerns, with the French champions recently sanctioned by UEFA for overspending.
It is claimed that PSG will need to sell players and drastically reduce their wage bill if they are to make a move for Osimhen, who was described as a “phenomenal” player by former Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri earlier this season.
What has Osimhen said?
It also remains to be seen whether former Lille striker Osimhen would want to return to French football, having recently admitted it is his “dream” to play in the Premier League.
“I think playing in one of the top five leagues in the world (Serie A) is an amazing feeling for me,” said Osimhen.
“A lot of people worldwide consider the Premier League as the best and the strongest league but now I’m in one of the best leagues in the world which is the Italian Serie A.
“I’m working so hard to make sure that I achieve my dream of playing in the Premier League some day but like I said, it’s a process and I just want to keep on this momentum and continue to do well.”
Arsenal’s interest
Italian outlet Rai (via the Sun) claimed Arsenal are leading Manchester United in the chase for Osimhen.
United are widely reported to have the striker, described as “dangerous” by Italian journalist Gianni Visnadi, on their summer wishlist and are thought to be favourites to sign him.
However Rai claim the Gunners have overtaken United in the race for the 24-year-old.
It is alleged that Napoli will demand an eye-watering £133million for Osimhen, which would shatter the £106million Premier League transfer record set by Chelsea in January, when they signed Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.
Indeed, such a fee would be almost double the Gunners’ transfer record which was set in 2019, when the Gunners paid £72million to sign Nicolas Pepe.
Yet the Telegraph previously reported that Osimhen would cost £100million.
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