Top Clubs Hesitant to Bid for Nigerian Striker Despite High Expectations
Victor Osimhen was expected to be one of the hottest properties in the 2024 summer transfer window. Recognized as one of the best number nines in world football, Napoli had promised to sell him at the end of the 2023-24 season. However, with the European transfer market opening soon, there have been no concrete offers for the Nigerian striker.
PSG is seen as the favorite to sign Osimhen but has yet to make a bid, and Arsenal’s interest remains tepid. Besides these, only Saudi Arabian clubs have shown serious interest.
A major barrier to his transfer is the €120 million release clause in his contract, coupled with an inconsistent season. However, a significant concern for potential buyers is Osimhen’s injury record. Since joining Napoli from Lille in 2020, he has missed 65 games due to 15 different injuries.
In the 2023/24 season alone, Osimhen suffered six injuries, missing over two months of play. Even during Napoli’s Scudetto-winning season, where he was the top scorer in Serie A with 26 goals, he still missed almost two months due to injury. In the 2021-22 season, a fractured cheekbone kept him out for 54 days, requiring him to wear a protective mask.
Osimhen’s aggressive and explosive style of play makes him prone to both muscular and contact injuries. His recent clash with Nigeria national team coach Finidi George, where Osimhen was accused of choosing not to play in World Cup qualifiers despite being fit, only adds to the controversy. Osimhen denied the claims, asserting he was injured, leading to George’s resignation as manager.
Ultimately, Osimhen’s history of injuries and missed games presents a challenge for any team considering paying a hefty sum for him this summer.
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