Liverpool could stand to benefit from a significant claim made about Napoli’s Victor Osimhen without actually signing the striker. The Premier League and Serie A champions are seemingly strapped in and reliant on one another as the summer transfer window enters its next phase.
Completing the bulk of their summer business before the end of June, Liverpoolwill begin to take stock of the players in their possession. Some trimming may be required in response to those already recruited up to this point whilst others sold would help open the door to more additions.
Adapting poorly from Jurgen Klopp to Arne Slot, the 26-year-old’s future in England is in doubt. Former Uruguay international and Napoli midfielder Walter Gargano has claimed from a conversation he has had with Nunez, the striker is now waiting on the Italian club to make their move.
But he may have to so patiently as Napoli must first offload current striker Victor Osimhen.
There was plenty of fuss last summer when the Nigerian sought a transfer away but did not end up finding a permanent home, so was forced to spend the 2024/25 campaign playing in Turkey on loan to Galatasaray.
Returning to his parent club with a reported €75m (£64m) release clause, Osimhen has not been sold yet though the script could flip very soon. Coming from Turkish outlet Fotomac, it is claimed the release clause becomes null and void as of July 15.
Now, Napoli could very well increase the price of a man who fired them to the Scudetto in 2022/23 and netted 37 goals in all competitions last season, though it would hardly do them any favours in getting rid of him.
Decreasing Osimhen’s price would help speed up the process so that they can find a willing buyer for their player then acquire the funds needed to purchase Nunez, thus helping Liverpool complete their first transfer of this chain.
The Reds’ second transfer they can complete in response to Osimhen’s move is a matter of choice as first of all it is still unclear if they intend to move for a striker in this window, or who that would be.
If the opportunity is there to land ‘dream’ target Alexander Isak then surely that can’t be resisted.
Scorer of 62 over his three years with Newcastle United, Isak is one of the Premier League‘s deadliest finishers. Finances are no problem in the face of a nine-figure asking price demanded by the Magpies and the longer the limbo lasts over contract renewal talks, the more encouragement his suitors will get.
Should Liverpool decide against a move for Isak, Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike is also rumoured to be on their shortlist. Whatever Liverpool ultimately end up doing is still far from certain, although the transfer domino effect could begin with Napoli parting ways with Osimhen.