Osimhen is Most Valuable Player in Italy, Fifth in the World

*Okocha tells the Nigerian player to move elsewhere as Garcia takes over from Spalletti

Femi Solaja   

Nigeria and Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen,  is now the most valuable player in Italian Serie A and fifth most expensive star in the world.

According  to the latest Transfer Markt valuations, Osimhen possible price tag is now 120 Million Euros, which breaks the previous record of 110 Million Euros placed on Paulo Dybala in 2018.

The Super Eagles striker’s value soared by a hefty 20 Million Euros after he led Napoli to win the Italian Scudetto after 33 years and a quarter final finish in the UEFA Champions League this past season.

“The recent increase, which is the third this season, as well as the record, are the result of an excellent season by the best striker in Serie A,” Transfermarkt Area Manager Italy, Jatin Dietl, revealed yesterday.

“His new valuation is also a reflection of the current transfer market because at the moment, we are seeing that Erling Haaland’s impact has created a strong market for top strikers, especially those with attributes that Osimhen is showing regularly: a strong will and mentality, the ability to be dynamic, physical and assertive as well as showing technical attributes at top speed.

“Those kinds of players will command significant transfer fees this summer. We are not just seeing that with Osimhen, who Napoli President, Aurelio de  Laurentiis, despite interest from England, France, or recently from the Bundesliga, doesn’t want to sell.” 

Meanwhile, a former Captain  of the Super Eagles, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, has advised Osimhen  to make the best of his valuation and move to another club, now.

Former AS Roma and Al Nassr manager, Rudi Garcia, was yesterday announced as the new head coach of Napoli, replacing Luciano Spalletti.

Garcia’s immediate task will be to build upon Napoli’s recent successes and defend their Serie A crown in the upcoming season.

Apart from seven-time Ballon D’Or winner and Argentina’s World Cup winning Captain, Lionel Messi, who recently switched to Inter Miami in USA, Osimhen is the next most sorted footballer in the forthcoming transfer window.

Osimhen is presently in Lagos with Super Eagles training camp ahead of AFCON 2023 qualifying match against Sierra Leone in Monrovia this weekend.

Okocha told THISDAY recently that after the recent brilliant form, Osimhen needs to cash out now rather than wait till when his contract will run out.

“He has set a new record in Napoli and there is a tendency of diminishing return in the subsequent years depending on the length of mega offer the club wants to offer him. But it is his interest not to look the other way      

Top clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal and lately, Chelsea are among wanting signing the gangling striker in spite of $160m cap placed on him.   

“What mark again does he want to set again in Italy after leading Napoli to win the Serie A title for the first time in over two decades? He was the highest goal scorer and even beat legendary George Weah goal record in a season in style.   

“Osimhen should now allow the emotion of cult hero statures in Naples to truncate his blossom career knowing fully well that the life span of a footballer is very short and it would be nice of him to take any of the offers now because they may never come again.   

“He is a hard-working footballer and it is very nice to eat very well the fruit of his labour,” Okocha pointed out.   

With the club’s coach, Luciano Spalletti, already on sabbatical, there are strong indications that some of the players aside Osimhen may opt out for other leagues.   

But for now, Napoli had increased its salary cap in a bid to retain the Nigerian striker. The club values the Nigerian international at a staggering €160 million, indicating their intention to resist any attempts to lure away their prized asset.    

Napoli’s desire to retain Osimhen stems from their aspirations to defend their Scudetto title and mount a strong challenge in the Champions League next season.