The Italian media has revealed a Jurgen Klopp-inspired campaign for Liverpool to sign Victor Osimhen, with Napoli using some desperate measures to keep the striker out of the Merseysiders’ hands.
After an incredible stint in Serie A, the Nigerian striker has become one of the most sought-after stars in the world. In 36 games this season, he has scored 28 goals, helping Napoli advance to their first domestic championship in 33 years.
However, as the football-crazy community continues to celebrate, rumors about their famous players have become more rampant.
Indeed, amid rumors of a transfer to Manchester United, their star defender Kim Min-jae finds himself in high demand. And even if his agents are downplaying rumors that Kim is headed to Manchester United, Erik ten Hag still has him as one of his top targets.
The United manager has a strong interest in Osimhen as well. And it is simple to understand why he is in demand given that his record currently stands at 94 goals in 188 career appearances.
Chelsea is said to have a strong interest in addition to United.
But it won’t be simple for any Premier League team to sign him.
Aurelio De Laurentiis wants to sign the 24-year-old to a longer and better contract. Furthermore, the Napoli president is unlikely to release him on the cheap even if he managed to avoid signing an extension.
There have even been rumors that the Serie A champions value their best player at an unaffordable €150 million (£132 million).
However, it has since come to light how far Napoli went to acquire Osimhen.
In the summer of 2020, he transferred to the club from the French team Lille, defeating Liverpool to his services.
At the time, Liverpool’s interest was quite well reported. It was unclear, though, how committed Klopp was to getting the man to sign.
Giandomenico Costi, a former club employee, has just revealed the extraordinary lengths Napoli took to thwart Klopp’s plans.
Amazingly, he also asserts that Cristiano Giuntoli, the director of Napoli, “locked Osimhen in a hotel room” until he agreed to join the Gli Azzurri despite Liverpool’s looming presence.
Giuntoli’s greatest achievement, according to Costi, is the signing of Osimhen (16/5/23, page 15).
“For three days, Osimhen was imprisoned in a hotel. Giuntoli was aware that Jurgen Klopp had made his move and that Liverpool were intrigued. But it took Cristiano three days of conversations with Osimhen in the hotel for him to persuade him to sign with Napoli.
He exuded a lot of enthusiasm. A director named Giuntoli would phone you 100 times every day. However, he was quite familiar with Victor and had even followed him to Charleroi.
According to Costi, the signing of Kim, who was brought in to replace Kalidou Koulibaly, was a much simpler process.
It was simpler with Kim, said Costi. “Cristiano didn’t have to examine many defenders to realize that he was the best choice! ”
Napoli has unquestionably benefited from Liverpool’s setback.
They also anticipate keeping the Nigerian on their books for at least a few more years. In fact, he scored 56 goals overall in 98 games for the victorious team.
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