Napoli's Victor Osimhen celebrates scoring their second goal
Manchester City have made an enquiry about signing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.
The Lowdown: Striker needed?
Man City are hardly in need of a striker, given just how good Erling Haaland has been since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, with the Norwegian scoring an incredible five goals against RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Pep Guardiola also has Julian Alvarez at his disposal in attack, and the Argentinian has impressed whenever he has been given the opportunity this season, netting on 10 occasions in all competitions.
The 23-year-old is poised to put pen to paper on a new five-and-a-half-year contract with the Sky Blues, however that has not stopped Guardiola from considering a new option to bolster his frontline…
The Latest: Osimhen eyed
According to Plettenberg, Man City have ‘inquired’ about signing Osimhen, despite the fact they already have Haaland and Alvarez.
If the Sky Blues do try to pursue a deal for the striker, they will face stiff competition for his signature, as the Sky Sports reporter has ‘been told’ the likes of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United also said to be interested.
Bayern Munich are no longer in contention for the Nigerian, as Napoli are set to demand €100m (£88.2m) to part with one of their prized assets, with a fee that high deemed ‘not feasible’ for the German club.
The Verdict: Get it done?
There is no question that the 24-year-old is a hugely talented player, weighing in with 21 goals and five assists in 27 appearances for Napoli so far this season, currently way out in front at the top of the Serie A goal-scoring charts.
Gianfranco Zola has waxed lyrical about the Lagos-born marksman’s various qualities, saying: “He’s a very complete player. He’s got a good reference going forward, he can link up play and he’s devastating in the air. He’s a pest to defenders.”
That said, it is hard to see where the Nigeria international would fit into the Man City team, given that he has almost exclusively featured at centre forward throughout his career, a position in which Guardiola is already blessed with fantastic options.
With Osimhen also set to command a huge price-tag, it is not a transfer that is worth pursuing for the Sky Blues, and they should instead look to strengthen other areas of the squad, particularly central midfield, with Ilkay Gundogan’s future in doubt.
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