Lille Metropole of France striker, Victor Osimhen is facing a deep-rooted dilemma of choice between two London-based English Premier League club, as Arsenal and Chelsea are both reportedly hot on his heels, even after reports emerged that the youngster and his agent have rejected a similar overture from AS Napoli of Italy.
Megasportsarena.com learnt that Arsenal and Chelsea have been encouraged to formally move for Osimhen, following reports that Lille’s president, Gerard Lopez is now ready to sell the Super Eagles’ whiz-kid, in order to pull in extra finances ahead of next season.
Both London clubs are now following suit with their EPL rivals, Liverpool, who are said to have tabled an earlier bid last week, while Eurosport journalist, Manu Lonjon revealed that Osimhen has changed his mind about an earlier agreement to join Napoli, and the Italian Serie A club are said to have turned their attention on his Nigerian compatriot, Emmanuel Dennis, who plays for Club Brugge.
Osimhen’s agent, Jean-Gerard Benoit Czaik earlier ruled out a move to Italy for his ward, who has also attracted attention from AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, while Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla of Spain are keeping tabs on the Chile 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup highest goals scorer.
His chances of a summer transfer have now been boosted by side-effects of the coronavirus pandemics, which has crippled Lille’s finances, such that they aim to cash in on Osimhen, whose departure from Les Dogues is getting likely by the day, especially as they will not be able to offer him a spot in the UEFA Champions League next season, after finishing outside the top three spots in the French Ligue 1.
As they now look to reap from escalating interest in the striker, Lille have reportedly placed a 55 million euros asking price on Osimhen, who has four years remaining on his contract, and the lad apparently looks at a decision that will see him pick one of Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal; even as Lonjon says the player’s choice will be confirmed in the first week of June.
Amidst all this, Daily Express newspaper added that Arsenal are tracking Osimhen as a potential replacement for their captain and top striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who looks set to leave The Gunners this summer, after failing to negotiate terms of a new contract at Emirates Stadium, and the club want to avoid a repeat of the scenario which saw Aaron Ramsey leave for free last summer.
The Gunners are now set to offload Aubameyang this summer to ensure they get a fee on his exit, with the replacement then becoming Osimhen, who has scored 18 goals in 25 Ligue 1 starts this season, and couple then join forces with another former Lille sensation, Nicola Pepe, the lad he replaced last summer at the French Ligue 1.
This comes at a point additional reports noted that one of Osimhen’s agents revealed that they have been in talks with another London-based club, Tottenham Hotspur, who are also keen on getting a piece of the striker’s pie, even if it means being in direct contact with two of their city mate and EPL champions-in-waiting, Liverpool.
Osimhen’s agent, Ariyo Igbayilola, however, hinted that Tottenham might not stand a chance of signing the striker, unless their captain, Harry Kane moves on to make space open for him, as the Eagles’ youngster would not be open to playing second fiddle, a condition he says has been explained to Spurs’ boss, Jose Mourinho.
The agent also confirmed that there has been interest from Newcastle United in Osimhen but, while admitting it is unlikely that the striker will remain at Lille this summer, Igbayilola noted a decision is yet to be made over any of the options on the table, even as he further pointed out that Napoli have shown more intense interest than all other suitors.
Igbayilola told Cable Sport: “I think with the pressure from different clubs in Europe, I doubt if he will stay with Lille in the coming season.
“I can confidently tell you that the only club that wants Victor 100% right now is Napoli. But the final decision on whether he wants to join them lies with him. Also, Newcastle are in the race just like Tottenham. But it’s just interest alone.
“No real sign of commitment from them. We told Mourinho that if he wants Victor, will Harry Kane be leaving? If Harry Kane still play for Tottenham will Victor play? Because he will always be benched for (Kane).
“Kane is their number one striker and he is the captain of England, all these will always work for him in the club but at Victor’s detriment. He needs a club where he will always play full game week in, week out. Not to be kept on the bench.”
