Napoli have made a bold demand in negotiations with Liverpool, asking for two players plus a cash sum in exchange for Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, amid mounting interest from the Premier League side.
As reported by Valter De Maggio via Sportskeeda, Liverpool initially proposed a swap deal involving Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez for the Nigerian international.
However, Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis responded by insisting the Serie A side would only consider the offer if an additional €20 million is included.
Chiesa carries a market value of €14 million, while Nunez is valued at €45 million. When combined with the proposed €20 million, the total package amounts to €79 million, slightly above Osimhen’s €70 million valuation on Transfermarkt.
The 26-year-old forward has built a reputation as one of the most lethal strikers globally over the last few seasons.
Although he was expected to secure a high-profile move last summer, it never materialized. Instead, he ended up joining Galatasaray on a season-long loan.
At the Turkish club, Osimhen was in sensational form, racking up 37 goals and eight assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.
Among his highlights was a stunning overhead kick against Antalyaspor, which earned him the Super Lig Goal of the Season award, winning 65.8% of the fan vote.
Galatasaray are now keen on making his stay permanent following his outstanding campaign. Nonetheless, speculation continues to swirl, with top Premier League clubs circling for his signature.
Over the past few transfer windows, Osimhen’s future has remained uncertain. He came close to joining Chelsea and also received offers from Saudi Arabia last summer. Ultimately, he declined both moves and opted for the Turkish giants.
Despite receiving financially lucrative proposals from the Middle East, the Nigerian forward has consistently turned them down.
Reports suggested Al-Hilal recently prepared a new offer of €50 million per year, following an earlier €30 million-per-season proposal that Osimhen also rejected just two weeks ago.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand recently weighed in, stating Osimhen may be holding out for a move to Old Trafford. Yet, any deal appears complicated as United are reportedly hesitant to make a move unless Osimhen lowers his wage expectations.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are not alone in their pursuit. Serie A giants Juventus have also stepped up their interest, especially following the appointment of their new sporting director, Damien Comolli.
As the race intensifies, the Reds are also exploring other attacking targets, including Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko, both highly rated but expected to command hefty fees.
