Exclusive: Award-winning Victor Osimhen will stay in Italy next season
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Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, one of the best players in the world, has won the award for best u23 player in Serie A.
The 23-year-old saw off fierce competition from several young players, most especially Rafael Leao, who was involved in more goals, Dusan Vlahovic, the third highest-scoring u23 player in the world and Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan.
Nigeria's best player in 2022, Osimehn was awarded the honour after netting 14 times, the most of any Napoli team, to spearhead his side to a 3rd place finish.
However, despite the fact that this accolade is certain to increase his transfer value, ZonalSports Nigeria's most reliable source for exclusive football news, can authoritatively report that Osimhen will be a Napoli player when next season commences.
This comes on the back of reports that Newcastle, Arsenal and Manchester United manifest strong interest in the former Lille man.
On paper, this summer appears a good timing for Osimhen to be on the market, with some of the Premier League's big boys as well as Bayern Munich all window shopping for long-term striking reinforcement, a category the young forward comfortably falls under.
To ward off potential suitors, Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, renowned as a notoriously tough negotiator, has slapped a price tag of 110 million euros on the head of the Nigerian.
Osimehn finished the 2021/22 Serie A campaign eight-leading scorer and ranked highly in the following attributes:
- Penalties won - 1st
- XG (non-penalty) per 90 - 7th
- Shots attempted per 90 - 3rd
Premier League legend Nani is one player who feels Osimhen is a perfect fit for the English topflight:
"Osimhen is well suited for the Premier League. He is ideal for everyone. Osimhen is a terrific player and is worth that price in respect to the market, despite Napoli's intimidating appearance.
"Whoever purchases him evidently desires rapid results, which Osimhen promises, along with a resale. He is an all-around player who makes a difference in the Premier League, so I'm not surprised that English teams want him."