Liverpool great Steve Nicol believes Victor Osimhen would be a “fantastic” buy after he was quizzed on who could replace Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian has been the leading light at Anfield since joining in 2017, but is tipped to eventually move on, especially with Jurgen Klopp now departing. Liverpool fended off interest from Saudi Arabia in the summer but those suitors are expected to return once more.
Salah’s exit would leave a massive hole. The forward has topped the club’s goalscoring charts every season he’s been on Merseyside with Nicol adamant that Liverpool must replace him with a prolific frontman if they are to sign a new face.
He said on ESPN FC: “The fact that Salah is going to be going, whether this year or next year, Osimhen? I think he would be fantastic for Liverpool. The middle of the park, we’ve just signed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, Endo’s turned out to be incredible, you need someone who will run all day and give it to Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Salah.”
Nicol also claimed that landing Osimhen, who has helped Napoli win Serie A, would mean that Darwin Nunez would be forced to play in a wider role. The ex-Benfica man has shown glimpses of quality but his finishing has been criticised whilst Osimhen has shown himself to be ruthless in front of goal.
The Nigerian, who signed for Napoli from Lille several seasons ago, has been heavily linked with Chelsea and has confessed that a move to the English top flight is eventually on his radar.
He told Sky Sports earlier this year: “Of course one day, definitely but for now, I have other plans in my career that I am looking forward to. So when the time comes, everyone knows.”
He also added: “I am happy with the president. I have a good relationship with him. I cannot lie. He has been with me since I signed for the club in 2020. I have a good relationship with his family also and for me it is always important to make sure we have this good relationship, to make sure there is nothing wrong regardless of what has happened.”
The 25-year-old enjoyed the best season of his career last term, smashing the 30-goal barrier. Napoli have also shown themselves willing to part with their best players for the right fee and Osimhen is expected to eventually seek pastures new.
