Liverpool took a gamble when they signed Darwin Nunez in 2022. FSG have a way of doing things on the financial front, you see, and that modus operandi is built on the premise that data-driven analysis dictates the strategies.
But Nunez impressed in the 2021/22 Champions League, scoring against Barcelona, Bayern Munich and, crucially, Liverpool, thus convincing Jurgen Klopp to push for a deviation from the typical approach, signing a raw but brilliant prospect for a lofty £64m.
Nunez will depart Anfield this summer having failed to activate the full £85m payment of his transfer, with wastefulness in front of goal and struggles to adapt to Arne Slot’s system alienating him, leaving him with one Premier League start since Boxing Day, scoring only seven goals all season.
He goes with Merseyside’s blessing, but he needs to leave this summer. The 25-year-old has suitors in Italy and the Saudi Pro League, and when movement starts to happen on that front, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes can move ahead with the signing of a new first-class number nine.
Liverpool in race for new striker
As per Football Insider, Victor Osimhen is still on Liverpool’s radar as FSG prepare to cash in on Nunez. After completing a successful loan spell with Galatasaray, Osimhen will leave Napoli this summer.
Valued at £67m, the Nigerian striker has also piqued the interest of Manchester United, but Liverpool will hope European football, a title-winning team and more stable conditions will hold sway in the race.
Al-Hilal had been pushing to sign Osimhen, but a deal fell through after the player made known his preference to remain in Europe. The door is very much open for the Anfield side.
Why Liverpool want Victor Osimhen
Now that Liverpool have agreed a £116m deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, they can turn their attention toward the front of the ship, and Osimhen could be the perfect man to upgrade on Nunez, affordable and fantastic at his job.
Hailed as “world-class” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, Osimhen has been one of the most prolific marksmen in Europe for several seasons now, and despite his unhappy divorce with Napoli, has jetted the flame alive out with Galatasaray this term, posting 37 goals and eight assists across just 41 games.
24/25 – Galatasaray
41
37
8
23/24 – Napoli
32
17
4
22/23 – Napoli
39
31
5
21/22 – Napoli
32
18
6
20/21 – Napoli
30
10
3
His consistency bespeaks his elite-class ability, and with nine goals and an assist from just 17 outings in the Champions League, the 26-year-old has the perfect arsenal to thrive for Slot’s Liverpool, a fierce blend of pace, power and potency in the final third.
It really goes without saying that he’d prove an upgrade on Nunez, whose struggles have been personified by his profligacy in England’s top flight, only scoring 25 Premier League goals across three campaigns and missing a staggering 55 big chances, as per Sofascore.
To be fair, Osimhen has missed 64 big chances across league performances over the same timeframe; the difference, however, is that he’s tucked away 67 strikes.
Ranked among the top 9% of strikers across Europe last season for aerial battles won, the top 6% for shot-creating actions and the top 18% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref, Osimhen is more than just a focal point, instead, utilising his athleticsm and strength to dominate in the final third, linking play together and controlling in the air.
Shot-creating actions are pieces of play that lead to a shot. These include moments such as a pass, take-on or foul being drawn.
Osimhen might cost a fair amount this summer, but the proof is in the pudding with this one, and there’s little question he’d prove a huge upgrade on Nunez.
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