Manchester United have been linked with a move for Victor Osimhen, but is he worth the money being touted?
Every striker has off-days. Although, in the case of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, similarly to Marcus Rashford, he is having a bit of an off-season after hitting new career heights last season.
Perhaps it’s impossible to always improve on a career-best, but what fans want is a modicum of consistency, and at least an ability to step up in the really big games.
This week Victor Osimhen failed to deliver when he was needed most, as Napoli crashed out of the Champions League at the last 16 stage with a 3-1 loss and 4-2 aggregate defeat against Barcelona.
Osimhen failed to get into the game at all, having fewer touches (29) than any outfield player to feature for all 90 minutes, and landed just one shot on target.
Osimhen has recently been linked to Manchester United again
It was around this time last year Victor Osimhen’s name was being connected with Manchester United, before reality set in, and the club’s budget became apparent.
Napoli wanted more than Tottenham would have demanded for Harry Kane, who himself was too much for United. After leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in 30 years, Osimhen was not available on the cheap, and even the likes of PSG were scared off their demands.
The Independent reported earlier in March that United are looking into a deal for Osimhen, explaining he would cost a fee equating to £94 million, which would be a club transfer record.
And is he worth it? Well, the reviews are not favourable right now. This season he has 11 Serie A goals, on track to be well short of last season’s 26. Napoli meanwhile are seventh in the league and may not even qualify for European football next season.
Osimhen under fire after Champions League exit
Victor Osimhen would be a luxury addition to United. There is competition required for Rasmus Hojlund up front, but a move for the Nigeria international would be a budget-buster. Maybe if he was a little cheaper.
Former Napoli player, appropriately named Arturo di Napoli, told Italian media 1 Football Club, believes the striker is overpriced.
He explained: “Osimhen is in a bit of trouble. Of the 130 million, I believe these figures to be allocated to players who confirm themselves over three or four seasons. Even if we are talking about a player of absolute level, these are disproportionate figures.
“Great champions always manage to make the difference in big matches. Osimhen remains a great footballer, but 130 million is too much. 70, 80 million may be the right valuation.”
70 million Euros is just £60 million, a long way short of the figures touted for the Manchester United linked striker. Whether Napoli would ever settle for a dip like that, is very doubtful.
Osimhen was also criticised by pundit Ivan Zazzaroni, who told TMW that Osimhen was ‘missing’ from the team’s performance against Barcelona.
He added that the striker “is not paying for what he earns which, let’s remember, is 10 million per year from this season.”
READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
