Jose Mourinho would buy Manchester United-linked Victor Osimhen if he “was at a club with a lot of money” and compared the Napoli striker to Didier Drogba.
The 24-year-old scored a stunning goal which helped Napoli beat Mourinho’s Roma side 2-1 last night.
The Nigerian opened the scoring at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the 16th minute after smashing the ball into the roof of the net past Rui Patricio following a cross from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
With three touches, the former Lille striker controlled the cross with his chest before unleashing an unstoppable volley after setting up the strike via his knee.
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Jose Mourinho delivers Victor Osimhen verdict amid Manchester United interest
Napoli number nine’s strike against Mourinho’s Giallorossi took his goalscoring tally for the season to 15 goals from 20 appearances.
Mourinho has no doubt that the 23-time Nigeria international has what it takes to shine in the Premier League, and while he compared Osimhen to fellow African Drogba, who Mourinho worked with at Chelsea, the former Manchester United manager urged the sought-after Napoli striker to stop diving.
When asked for his assessment on Osimhen, Mourinho told reporters via GOAL: “He is of the same level as Drogba, but Didier didn’t dive.
“If Victor changes, then OK. I’d buy him if I was at a club with a lot of money. However, if he does go to England one day, he needs to change, because in Italy they put up with this sort of behaviour, whereas in the Premier League, they’d come down hard on him.”
Following last night’s clash in Naples, Mourinho revealed what he said to Osimhen after the final whistle: “I told him that he scored a wonderful goal and needs to stop diving so much. His goal was fantastic, he did the same thing when we met earlier this season, so he’s a fantastic player. But he mustn’t dive.”
Erik ten Hag has made signing a new number nine the priority for Manchester United in the summer.
According to ESPN, Osimhen is on a three-man shortlist for the Red Devils alongside Harry Kane and Benjamin Sesko.
While his stock continues to rise, Osimhen’s contract with Napoli expires in 2025.