Victor Osimhen is on the radar of the Premier League’s finest, with Newcastle United and Manchester United looking for his signature. Both clubs are currently in a top-four race in the English Premier League going into the international break, with Newcastle United sitting in third place and Manchester United in fifth with a game in hand.
Both sides seem to be on the way up. Newcastle United were bound to make upward steps because of a change in ownership, but the pace at which they’ve made these steps will have come as a surprise to most people, and Manchester United seem to be getting their house in order again since Erik ten Hag has taken charge.
With the January transfer window opening not long after the end of the World Cup, sportsbooks like Betbuq and 2xSport, which are built on PlaylogiQ’s iGaming software offerings, are expected to open up markets on where Osimhen could end up and how soon it will happen. Temporary markets such as these add an extra edge during a football season, particularly in a season that has a World Cup in the middle that could throw up a host of new names that could be linked to both these teams by the time the transfer window opens up. With the help of a software provider like this, several sportsbooks now offer such markets and compete with other bookmakers.
Newcastle and Manchester United on similar trajectories this season
Both teams could use the services of a player like Osimhen. The 23-year-old Nigerian plays as a centre-forward for Napoli and is enjoying another fine campaign. Napoli are at the top of the Serie A table as the league pauses for the World Cup, and Osimhen has contributed nine goals and two assists in 11 games.
The only issue with Osimhen – for a while now – has been injury frequency. Newcastle United have splashed quite a lot of money on Alexander Isak, who is another injury-prone player, and Callum Wilson has done well in his stead. The need for a striker seems warranted, as Wilson might not be good enough for Newcastle’s ultimate ambitions, and Isak isn’t a traditional centre-forward – the Swede can be used in a wider role or as a second striker as well. Manchester United, on the other hand, clearly needs a striker. Cristiano Ronaldo is still at the club with his future uncertain, and Anthony Martial has injury concerns of his own.
What teams will consider before splashing the cash
One thing that both sides will have to keep in mind is that Osimhen represents Nigeria on the international stage, which means he’ll likely be unavailable for parts of the season when the African Cup of Nations takes place. His qualities aren’t the type that can be easily replaced, and this will be a worry for any suitor, with his injury record already a worry.
Osimhen is contracted to Napoli until 2025, and he was bought for €70m. Napoli has a history of charging high prices for their best players, and it will be no different if the two English clubs come calling.
Money shouldn’t be an obstacle for either club, however. Osimhen certainly has a lot of qualities that both sides could use. He’s an excellent target-man, has great athleticism, can defend from the front, and has a nose for a goal.
He is close to the complete package, but his touch can go amiss at times. If it weren’t for his injury record, there would be little concerns as far as his game is concerned. Wherever he goes, there’s no doubt that Osimhen will improve most teams in the world.
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