The 2023 African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, is undoubtedly among the best strikers in the world. Aside from Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe, this is a top striker that every European club wants on their team. In the summer of 2023, Napoli were able to rebuff the advances from clubs in Europe and even oil-rich Saudi Arabia, although things may change in 2024.
This is unrelated to the Tiktok issue which made Osi delete all club pictures from his Instagram page. Osimhen and Napoli have cleared the air in the meantime and President Aurelio De Laurentiis has even recently said the Lagos-born striker will sign a new deal soon.
However, there hasn’t been any confirmation from his agent, Roberto Calenda, or the striker himself and reports in Italy suggest the 24-year-old forward will have a release clause in his new contract with the defending Serie A champions. Here are 11 clubs who may sign the African sensation next summer.
1. Newcastle
Newcastle make it to the very top of the list of clubs that may move for Osimhen at the end of the season. Owned by the Public Investment Fund and Cantervale Limited, the Premier League side have what it takes to buy Victor. The new owners have already invested heavily in the club by signing Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle are placed sixth in the Premier League table and have just been knocked out of the Champions League, but their results would improve with a top striker like Osimhen. Their lack of a clinical finisher has cost them many points this term and their attacking line-up with Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, and Aleksander Isak hasn’t provided them with the goals they need.
Including Osimeh in their team would give their gaffer, Eddie Howe, an edge. The funds for Osimhen aren’t a problem for this club, but Newcastle will need to battle with top English clubs and other European sides to secure the striker’s signature.
2. Juventus
The Old Lady could be one of the top European clubs after Osimhen if they sold Dusan Vlahovic. As of today, the Serbia international is their star player in attack alongside Federico Chiesa. However, Vlahovic has been in shaky form for a few months now, and some injury concerns have affected his morale. The 23-year-old has scored just five Serie A goals this season, which is frankly not enough for a striker of his name.
Juventus will need the strength of Osimhen and goal-scoring prowess to win the Scudetto this season. Presently, Juventus are just four points off leaders Inter and a player like Osimhen might be the answer to their attacking problems. The Nigeria international has already stayed in Italy for some years, so the language and culture won’t be a problem.
Napoli’s unwillingness to sell their star to a rival might be a significant stumbling block. It also remains to be seen if Osimhen will have a release clause valid for Serie A in his new contract with the Partenopei, which is expected to be signed shortly.
3. PSG
Another team that Osimhen might be heading to next season is Paris Saint-Germain. The 11th French champions saw the departures of Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi and Brazilian star Neymar last summer and are trying to rebuild. With Mbappe probably for Real Madrid in 2024, the French club need a top striker.
Osimhen has played in Lille before, so the French language and culture won’t be a problem for him. Luis Enrique needs to get his team back to being top in Europe, and this striker can help the Spanish tactician. An attacking trio with Ousmane Dembele, Gonçalo Ramos, and Kolo Muani hasn’t turned up recently. Osimhen would be a perfect addition to PSG’s attack and the ideal heir to Mbappé.
4. Arsenal
The Gunners are another top club in England that is chasing Osimhen’s services. Mikel Arteta’s team has become more dangerous in midfield and defence, but their strikers are still falling short somehow. With the trio of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka, this team still needs that cutting edge in front of the goal.
Over the years, they have been linked with both Vlahovic and Osimhen, but the Nigerian looks in a better position than the Serbian now. With the average age of Arsenal players at around 24, Victor’s youthfulness and aggressiveness make him look like the missing piece to help them win the Premier League for the first time since 2003-04.
Josh Kroenke, the billionaire son of Ken Kroenke, who owns Arsenal, is ready to open the purse for the Gunners. After the £105m acquisition of Declan Rice, the Premier League leaders are ready to spend big to get their man in attack.
5. Chelsea
The Blues have undergone a negative resurgence since Roman Abramovich left the club. New owner Todd Boehly has invested billions into the club, but the Blues still need a goal-getter. While they have an array of stars, which includes Raheem Sterling, Nicholas Jackson, and Cole Palmar, they have scored just 28 Premier League goals this season.
With ex-Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku just coming back from a lengthy injury, they will need the height and speed of Osimhen. One major obstacle to this transfer will be the lack of Champions League football. Chelsea presently sits 10th on the table, and unless fortune changes quickly, they will fail to qualify for a European competition for the second year in a row.
However, the chance to play in London with a considerable pay rise might convince the striker to accept a move to Stamford Bridge. Mauricio Pochetinno needs to find a way to integrate Osimhen into his squad, should they finally get their man.
6. Bayern Munich
You might be surprised that Bayern Munich makes it to this list, but you shouldn’t. With the acquisition of Harry Kane last summer by the German champions, many felt their striking problems were over. However, Bayern remain one injury away from being without a top striker.
While the efficiency of Kane isn’t in doubt, at 31, the Englishman isn’t getting any younger and Bayern might need to get a new forward to replace the Spurs legend when he is injured. Although Thomas Tuchel uses a 4-3-3 formation featuring Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, and Kane in attack, with Osimhen, they might revert to 4-4-2, with Kane and Victor leading the attack. Money won’t be a problem for Bayern, as they are one of the richest clubs in the world.
7. Tottenham Hotspur
Another English team Victor Osimhen could be heading to next summer is Tottenham Hotspur. North London is still gripped by the departure of their long-time servant Kane and under their new manager, Angelos Postecoglou, Spurs are trying to build a new squad that could challenge for the title in the coming years.
The question of where the goals will come from has always been asked. While Tottenham have strikers such as Richarlison, Bryan Gil, Giovani Lo Celso, and Son Heung-min, their over-reliance on the South Korea international has affected them in many games this term.
With the $127m from Harry Kane’s sale still in the bank, they have the resources to snatch Osimhen from Napoli. However, they need to convince the Nigerian forward that North London is where he can leave his mark. From Osimeh’s side, his agent has clarified that his client is open to a move to London, but it remains to be seen if Tottenham are the right club to fulfil his ambitions. Surely, Osimhen’s stature, skill, and agility are what Tottenham need to take that step forward.
8. Manchester City
The citizens are another top European side looking to sign the Napoli forward. The current Champions League holders have perhaps the best striker in the world, namely Erling Haaland. However, in the absence of the Norway international, the goals have been shared between Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish, and Julian Alvarez.
While some people believe Pep Guardiola doesn’t need another hitman, this isn’t entirely true. There have been many cases where Haaland has gone missing and has been bullied by defenders this term. Case studies include games against Arsenal and Aston Villa, where the Norwegian couldn’t register a shot.
A player of Osimhen’s stature and pedigree would be difficult to handle for many defenders in the English Premier League. Money isn’t a problem for the Citizens, but it remains to be seen if Osimhen accepts a club that may not grant him a starting spot.
9. Liverpool
Osimhen could also be heading to Anfield in the summer of 2024. The $100m signing of Darwin Nunez hasn’t been what Liverpool hoped for after the departure of Luiz Suarez. Jurgen Klopp wanted an out-and-out striker, and he thought the former Benfica star would take the Premier League by storm.
The seven goals scored in 24 appearances across all competitions in 2023-24 aren’t what the German gaffer was looking at. Any team that wants to take the crown off Manchester City needs a proven goalscorer like Osimhen and if we are looking for someone who will slot easily into the Reds formation, Osimhen is the person.
Mo Salah is ageing gradually, and the addition of Victor would be a blessing for the Reds. Liverpool are currently second in the league, and they should be in Europe next season. Even the acquisitions of Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, and Luiz Diaz haven’t proven to be entirely effective, especially with teams that sit deep defensively.
If Fenway Sports Group, the owners of Liverpool, approve this deal, Osimhen could become one of the best Liverpool strikers since Suarez.
10. Manchester United
Another possible destination for Osimhen in the summer transfer window is Old Trafford. Manchester United remain one of the top teams in the English Premiership and the wealthies clubs in the world. The Red Devils have been battling to stay at the top of European football, but things have gone downhill over the last few years.
Following the departure of the legendary Sir Alex Fergurson, they haven’t reached the level required by the fans. They have multiple options in attack, but none seems to be really working, including former Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund who hasn’t lived up to expectations.
Although the lanky striker scored five goals in the Champions League this term, it wasn’t enough for the Red Devils to qualify for the Round of 16. Manchester United will need a fresh and young striker like Osimhen to make them the world power they are known for.
Money has never been a problem at Old Trafford lately, but their recruitment process has proved to have several shortcomings. Coach Erik Ten Hag has been criticised because of the bad patch the club has gone through, but Osimhen can be that striker that changes his fate.
However, if Manchester United gets this striker, they will need to prove they can motivate him to perform. The way the Jadon Sancho case was handled has been discussed in the press, and United need to show they can stand with their players and support them even in tough times. While it isn’t clear if the manager wants Osimhen, the top brass at Old Trafford have always admired the Nigerian forward and should be willing to finance such a move quickly.
11. Real Madrid
Real Madrid are one of the potential destinations for Osimhen, as the Merengues have not signed a big name to replace Karim Benzema. Most of their goals have been shared between summer signing Jude Bellingham and Brazilian wingers Vinicius, and Rodrygo.
None of these attackers are natural centre forwards, something that Carlo Ancelotti or his successor in 2024 may want. Of course, Real Madrid would need to make room for Osimhen by selling some players already in the team, not to mention the biggest ‘problem’, if we want to call it this way, which is represented by the potential signing of Mbappé.
The French attacker is tipped to move to Madrid on a free transfer in the summer even if clubs like Manchester City might hijack the Merengues’ offer. Osimhen would thrive at Real Madrid, probably the biggest club in the world, because of his availability to link up with many creative players, like his current Napoli teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Whether he can play with Bellingham, Vini Jr and Mbappé at the Bernabeu, remains to be seen.
Which Clubs Do The Betting Odds Favour For The Transfer Of Osimhen?
Chelsea’s desperation for a striker that would change their fortunes has put them at 2/1 to land the lanky Napoli striker. Punters can enjoy the best 1 dollar deposits for NZ players who stake Victor Osimhen moving in the 2024 transfer window. Also Manchester United at 6/2 seems a good bet, as they urgently need a top striker. Check below for the betting odds on the Victor Osimhen transfer:
- Arsenal @8/2
- Real Madrid @10/1
- Al-Hillal @13/1
- Tottenham @15/1
- Psg @27/1
- Liverpool @31/2
- Juventus @35/1
- Bayern Munich @34/1
- Manchester City@ 48/1
- Newcastle @50/1
Conclusion
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will have no shortage of options in the summer if he decides to leave. While he still has a contract with Napoli until June 2025, the rumoured new deal would see him extend his stay at the club for one more year, with a release clause in the region of €130-140m.
Aside from the top sides in Europe, there are also clubs in Saudi Arabia, such as Al-Hillah and Al-Nassr, that have previously been linked with Osimhen and it remains to be seen if Napoli will be strong enough to reject more offers at the end of the season. If the release clause in Osimhen’s contract is confirmed, however, clubs interested will not need to talk to Napoli but should pay the required fee in one instalment. Surely, Osimhen will become a great asset for any club that end up signing him.