By Victor Kanayo
The much transfer talks surrounding Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen in the past months have continued to rattle the football ecosystem with the somewhat uncertainties.
From Chelsea to Arsenal, even with Manchester United and most recently Tottenham, the next destination for the goalscoring machine for Napoli is still not certain.
PSG Big Move
However, indications emerged few days ago that top French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain might have become the latest favourites to land one of the hottest living strikers in the entire world at the moment.
The rumour seems to be gradually turning to reality after reports spread abroad on Thursday that the French giants are now in a hurry to finalise a deal with the reigning African Footballer of the year.
READ ALSO: Iran Launches Hundreds Of Direct Drone Strikes At Israel
Already, the club have reportedly drawn up a four-year contract offer for the Napoli star.
Chelsea Off The Ladder
Before now, Chelsea were one of the leading contenders to sign Osimhen in the summer.
However, their financial constraints and the urgent need to comply with the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability Regulations (PSR) forced them to pull out of the race.
Paris Near Certainty
Osimhen was in Paris recently, with PSG looking to tighten their grip and seal the move.
The relationship between Aurelio de Laurentiis and Nasser Al Khelaifi is excellent for a while now and that has helped in the move to potentially pick up pace, with Osimhen likely to manage his own image rights as part of the switch.
There are plans in place for the Nigerian striker to sign lucrative sponsorship deals with Qatari companies close to club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Mbappe Certain Exit
Intensified talks between Osimhen and PSG became obvious as the Parisian giants are preparing to lose star forward Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer this summer, with many expecting the 2018 World Cup winner to finally join up with Real Madrid.
As such, they’ve started following several possible replacements, including multiple Serie A stars.
With the summer fast approaching, PSG have decided to make a move and have reportedly been leading the race for Osimhen, who seems destined to leave Napoli at the end of the season.
The Nigerian star has a €130m release clause in his contract, making the parameters of a move clear.
Irresistible Bid, Solid Firing Line
As reported by Il Mattino, PSG are looking to accelerate and beat out their rivals for Osimhen, and have drawn up their contract offer to the Napoli star – a four-year deal worth over €13m net per season plus control of his image rights.
The French club’s willingness to pay such a hefty sum underscores their determination to bolster their squad with top-tier talent, especially as they have struggled in recent times.
‘Goal-Simhen’ In Hot Demand Everywhere
Last season, Osimhen singlehandedly handed Serie A title to Napoli after his goalscoring prowess did the magic.
Since then, his value has catapulted to the heights, making him among highest in demand by top clubs.
Better put, the Napoli striker has developed into one of Europe’s most lethal strikers in recent years, following up on a tally of 26 goals in 32 Serie A appearances last season with seven goals in 13 appearances this season.
The Nigerian international, who helped the Super Eagles reach the Africa Cup of Nations final, is a frequent transfer target despite signing a contract extension until 2026 in December.
Osimhen, 25, reportedly has a £112 million release clause in his new contract, which PSG would be happy to activate if Mbappe’s high wage did not strain their resources.
After helping Napoli to a first Italian league title in 33 years, Osimhen became the first Nigerian to win the CAF men’s award since former Arsenal forward Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
From Little To World Wonder
Osimhen’s rise to the top has been a slow burn rather than the story of a one-season wonder.
Starring for Nigeria in their victorious 2015 Under-17 World Cup was the turning point in his career which indicated he was a child of destiny.
His 10 goals in Chile secured the golden boot and saw him named Caf’s Young Player of the Year – yet Osimhen almost missed out on selection for the squad.
His move to German club Wolfsburg in January 2017 almost turned out to be a nightmare for the young prospect, who featured 16 times without scoring, before a loan switch to Charleroi in Belgium in 2018-19 provided a lifeline.
Osimhen’s reputation was enhanced at Lille to the point that Napoli were reported to have paid $96m (£76.5m) – one of the highest fees ever for an African player – for his services in July 2020.
The pertinent question starring without any answer yet is – Will Osimhen’s rise continue unstoppable in coming years?
Only time will tell.
