Liverpool would have to make ‘crazy bid’ to sign £70m player in January – Fabrizio Romano

Add as preferred source on Google

It’s going to be difficult for Liverpool to sign reported target Victor Osimhen in January.

The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for Osimhen in recent times, as his Napoli future hangs in the balance.

But according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Nigerian will not actively be on the market in the New Year. Writing in his Daily Briefing today, Romano reports that unless a ‘crazy’ bid arrives, Napoli will hold firm on their main man.

“For Napoli, Osimhen is a really important player, and the club are not scared to wait until the summer to sell him, even if he hasn’t signed a new contract yet,” the transfer expert reports.

“They did the same with Kalidou Koulibaly in the past, even though there were always rumours about him, so Napoli always do their best to keep their players. It’s not been an easy season for them, but they’re hoping to do important things in Serie A and Europe, so I think they will try to keep Osimhen.

“Maybe a crazy bid could change things, I think they will make it really difficult for clubs to sign Osimhen. At the moment they are not even mentioning a price, so I think it will be more than difficult for any potential suitors.”

Napoli standing firm on Osimhen

Even if Osimhen does become more freely available in January, we really can’t see Liverpool making any kind of move to sign him.

In fact, it’s more likely that the Reds would be much more interested in a summer deal anyway.

Liverpool could perhaps do with adding some business in the winter, but bolstering their forward line should be the least of their worries.

Instead, with Mohamed Salah potentially on his way out, next summer will be the time to do that. In that case, Osimhen doesn’t look like a natural fit anyway to replace Salah anyway.

Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped the rumours coming thick and fast over recent times. Reports from Italy have claimed that Liverpool are in talks with Osimhen and his agents.

Even if that were the case, Romano’s update today suggests that it would be near-impossible to agree a deal with Napoli.

The Italian champions signed the 24-year-old for around £70m in 2020. Even with just a year left on his contact, they’ll be hoping to recoup at least that with any sale next year.

According to reports yesterday, the Naples-based side are even still hoping to tie Osimhen down to a new contract themselves. All signs would point towards Liverpool not being involved here, but you never know.