adplus-dvertising
Sports

Why Newcastle United must hijack Victor Osimhen’s Galatasaray transfer

images 2024 12 18T101113.794

Victor Osimhen is very close to joining Galatasaray, but he can still be snatched away before the transfer is complete

English Premier League club Newcastle United must sign a quality striker this summer if they want to do well next season.

Soccernet.ng reports that the Magpies are set to lose their two strikers this summer. Callum Wilson’s contract at the club was not extended at the end of last season, making him a free agent. And there are serious talks that he is close to joining West Ham.

Meanwhile, Swedish marksman Alexander Isak has been the subject of many transfer speculations in the past week.

Before now, it looked like his future was at Newcastle, but he has reportedly informed the club that he wants to leave this summer.

Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak (Photo by Imago)

Liverpool has been touted as a potential destination, as reigning Premier League champions look to continue their summer splurge. There have also been links to Saudi Arabia, but no club has made a bid just yet.

With the Magpies set to lose two very good strikers, they must sign replacements, and this is where Victor Osimhen could come in.

Why Newcastle United must sign Victor Osimhen

In Europe, there are very few strikers who can easily be named among the elite. Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Viktor Gyokeres, and of course, Victor Osimhen.

The Nigeria has been the center of many transfer talks since last year. He is expected to join Galatasaray in the coming days, as the Turkish Super Lig champions managed to eke out a deal with Napoli after a long transfer struggle.

However, the transfer is not complete yet. Hence, another club can still swoop in for him.

Newcastle would be an enticing option for Osimhen, who wants to play in the Premier League.

Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli during the pre-season training session in Castel di Sangro
Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli during the pre-season training session in Castel di Sangro. (Photo by Imago)

They are also assured of UEFA Champions League football too, and have quality players in other parts of the pitch.

The Magpies have money but are very careful with how they spend due to the financial rules in the English top-flight.

But given Osimhen’s quality, it would be a smart deal for them, as the transfer would cost them around €75 million.

There aren’t too many strikers around who would replace Isak seamlessly and come at €75 million. For example, Benjamin Sesko has been linked with the Magpies.

But he is a striker who has never scored up to 25 goals in a season, and RB Leipzig value him at over €80 million.

Any club that signs him will be signing potential. And it’s not everytime that kind of transfer pays off - case in point, Manchester United getting Rasmus Hojlund.

There is also Yoane Wissa, but he is definitely not on Osimhen’s level, as he has not proven to be a consistent goalscorer yet.

At this point, what Eddie Howe needs for his team is a plug and play striker. And in two of Osimhen’s last three seasons, he has eclipsed 30 goals.

 Eddie Howe manager of Newcastle United reacts in the technical area
Eddie Howe manager of Newcastle United reacts in the technical area (Photo by Imago)

Osimhen has scored goals in Belgium, France, Italy, and Galatasaray, so his ability to adjust is not in question.

The former Lille man has also played in UEFA’s biggest competitions like the Champions League and the Europa League, and he has scored goals.

Galatasaray will likely confirm the Super Eagles star’s signing next week. But Newcastle might just be able to swoop in before then.