By Daily Sports Nigeria on December 5, 2022

Few teams have lit up world football this season like Napoli. They sit atop the Serie A table, eight points clear of second place AC Milan, and have blazed through their Champions League group leaving a trail of destruction behind them.

Their team spirit, tenacity, and hard work have been a marvel to watch. They seem tireless and impossible to contain, with each player giving his all from the first minute to the last. So many of the Napoli players have dazzled in their electric start to the season, including Georgian prodigy Kvaratskhelia, Slovakian midfield architect Stansilav Lobotka, and home-grown Italian talents Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Giacamo Raspadori.

However, it has been the formidable masked forward Victor Osimhen that has caught the world’s attention, with many experts tipping him for a big money transfer next summer.

While Napoli’s success is all about team work rather than a reliance on individual moments of magic, there can be no taking away from Osimhen’s contributions this season. He has bagged nine goals and three assists in Serie A so far, with one goal in three appearances in the Champions League. Unfortunately, an injury has meant he spent the remainder of the pre-break season on the side lines, but he is expected to make a full recovery and rejoin the team soon.

It’s not just his goal contributions that make Osimhen an integral part of the team. The Nigerian forward, who wears a mask due to a previous injury causing several facial fractures, is also an incredibly hard worker off the ball.

His movement, spatial awareness, and sense of positioning are world class. He is constantly moving in and out of space to stretch opponents’ defensive lines and create openings for either himself or his teammates to exploit and take advantage of. He has an expert sense of when and where to make his runs, deftly toeing the offside line ready to explode forward when the chance allows.

Taking advantage of high defensive lines is one thing, navigating a dense low block is another. Osimhen has demonstrated his ability to both. He can pick out a pinpoint pass into the box and take rocketing, accurate shots past defenders, and an invaluable combination of skills for a modern forward.

It will come as no surprise given his form so far that Osimhen has caught the eye of many major European clubs. Where could he go if a big offer came in next summer? Let’s find out.

Despite Osimhen confirming through his agent that he is happy at Napoli and has no plans to leave, he has nonetheless been linked with a number of other clubs. PSG, Liverpool, and Arsenal have all been reported to have shown interest in the forward, but it has been the recent links with Manchester United that have made the headlines.

Manchester United have been closely monitoring Osimhen since the summer, but after the recent controversy that is likely to see Cristiano Ronaldo permanently depart Old Trafford, the club will be eager to bring in a new striker as soon as possible.

The rumours ramped up a notch when it was revealed that there is an agreement in place between Osimhen and Napoli that will allow him to leave should a suitable bid arrives. Exactly how much Napoli are looking for is subject to debate, but if reports are to be believed they’ll be demanding up to nearly £100m for the Nigerian’s signature.

Napoli are the in-form team in Europe at the moment, so it’s not surprise their players are in high demand. Wherever Osimhen eventually ends up, he’s a talent that will always be worth watching.

Source Punch Ng

Posted December 5, 2022

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