Victor Osimhen: Mega summer transfer faces unexpected delay

Cameron Smith

1 Jul 2025 11:00 BST
4 min read

Liverpool have identified Victor Osimhen as one of their three “concrete” striker targets for this summer, although a deal is unlikely to take place anytime soon.

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The Nigeria international is expected to leave Napoli on a permanent deal ahead of the 2025-26 campaign and Liverpool have emerged as one of the leading contenders to acquire his signature amid their pursuit of a new centre forward.

Current ETV

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

ETV Range

€61.1M - €74.7M

Osimhen scored 37 goals and provided eight assists in 41 appearances on loan at Galatasaray last season, and Liverpool believe he is a suitable candidate to become their new starting number nine.

Arne Slot’s side are eager to offload Darwin Nunez following a disappointing three-year spell at the club and they have earmarked Osimhen as a potential replacement option, along with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.

That is according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, who claims that Liverpool have “conducted thorough checks and gathered information” on all three players as they look to land a new striker during the 2025 summer transfer window.

However, the Reds will reportedly be unable to fund a move for a new centre forward until they are able to sell a number of current first-team stars. Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah and Andrew Robertson are among the players who could be offloaded by Liverpool this summer, with the club needing to raise funds following the signing of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz.

© IMAGO - Liverpool want to sign Victor Osimhen this summer

Who will Victor Osimhen join this summer?

While Liverpool are interested in signing Osimhen this summer, they will face significant competition for his signature from Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal.

Simone Inzaghi’s side have sounded the Nigerian out as their top centre forward target and they have offered him a contract proposal worth €160 million across four years, as per reports.

However, Osimhen is yet to accept a move to Saudi Arabia and he will engage in advanced negotiations over a summer transfer once he returns from holiday.

In addition to Al-Hilal and Liverpool, Osimhen has also been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus and Manchester United in recent months, while Galatasaray are eager to land him on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell last term.

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