By Johnny Edward
Real Madrid see Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, as a possible alternative should they fail to sign longtime target Kylian Mbappe this summer.
The French striker was on the verge of joining Madrid two years ago before committing his future to PSG.
He is however in the radar of the 13-time European Champions again with his contract set to expire next year.
While Mbappe has reportedly insisted he has no plans of leaving PSG, the club Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi had warned him to sign a contract renewal or risk being sold this summer.
While Madrid see Mbappe as their number one target, his transfer fee might be a hindrance, with other clubs like Liverpool also lurking in the corner.
According to Relevo, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelloti see Osimhen as an ideal replacement for Mbappe should the Los Blancos fail to land the French star.
“While the club prepares the scenery to present a footballer unknown to the vast majority until recently, Ancelotti is still waiting for Florentino, José Ángel Sánchez and Juni to attend to his requests without dribbles and, if Mbappé does not come, they will bring him a striker top now that it has been shown, no matter how much they say, that the market door is never closed. If it is not Osimhen, his favorite within plan B, that at least resembles it.”
The Nigeria international helped the Partenopei win their first Serie A title in 33 years, and emerged the leading scorer in Italy’s topflight with 26 goals in 32 games in 2022/23.
Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille in 2020 in a deal worth €75m. He has scored 50 goals in 83 Serie A matches adding seven in 11 Champions League appearances.
His current contract at the Stadio Maradona expires in June 2025.