A new European giant has reportedly now entered the race to sign the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen.
The Nigerian marksman has made the most of his loan spell at Galatasaray. Ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, the 26-year-old was being shopped around to suitors as Napoli looked to cash in on their disgruntled striker.
Chelsea and Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League were touted as his two likeliest destinations heading into deadline day at the beginning of the campaign, but neither of those moves materialised.
However, Osimhen was able to manufacture a loan move to the record Turkish champions, and while there were a lot of raised eyebrows regarding his temporary switch from Naples to Istanbul, the West African marksman has been in phenomenal form for his new side.
The Lagos native has scored 17 goals in 23 matches for the Süper Lig side in all competitions this season, and these performances have seemingly attracted new clubs looking to lure him away from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at the end of the season.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, a club eager to acquire Osimhen's services is Juventus.
Club sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is believed to want a more youthful side while maintaining a reasonable wage bill, and with current talisman Dusan Vlahovic seemingly reluctant to sign an extension at the Allianz Stadium, I Bianconeri have now identified the 2022/23 Serie A Golden Boot winner as a possible successor to the Serbian.
It remains to be seen whether Juve will be able to meet Napoli's €75 million (R1.4 billion) release clause, especially considering that president Aurelio De Laurentiis is a notoriously difficult negotiator.
Ready for the Derby of Italy? Click below to join SA's top betting experience.
Juventus host Inter Milan on Sunday evening at the Allianz Stadium in a massive Serie A fixture. Who will reign supreme?
Open a TAB account now and bet on Soccer 10, Mega 10 Jackpot, Soccer 13, and more at tab4racing.com
