Liverpool are unlikely to be in the market for Victor Osimhen or any other striker, according to Reds writer and Daily Briefing columnist Neil Jones.
Surprise recent transfer rumours linked Liverpool strongly with a deal for Osimhen, while Fabrizio Romano has reported on Chelsea monitoring the Nigeria international’s situation.
The Blues could urgently do with bringing in an upgrade on unconvincing young duo Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja, with Osimhen looking like he could be ideal after his superb form with Napoli in Serie A.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are not pursuing Osimhen or another centre-forward, according to Jones, who expects the Merseyside giants to continue to show faith in Darwin Nunez as their main man up front for the foreseeable future.
This would certainly be logical, and if it’s accurate then it surely represents good news for Chelsea, who will no doubt hope to avoid a bidding war for a top player like Osimhen, who surely won’t be short of other suitors.
“Victor Osimhen has been linked with Liverpool in recent weeks, but I would be very sceptical about this deal. The Napoli striker is clearly a superb player, but reports that a deal has already been agreed with the Reds are wide of the mark, and I’d be surprised if he was to end up at Anfield as things stand,” Jones wrote.
“Liverpool are not in the market for a No.9. They have Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo to play that position at the moment, and all three of those players have the full faith of Jurgen Klopp. All are 26 or under, and seen as long-term players for the club.
“Nunez’s development, in particular, has been a big positive this season. The Uruguayan has worked hard on the training ground, and looks far more in tune with what is required from him, on and off the ball, if he is to play regularly for Liverpool. He took the No.9 shirt in the summer, and has now become the main striker for his country, and I expect him to go from strength to strength as this season goes on.
“He, for sure, is the future at Anfield, and I would not expect to see Liverpool spending big money on a centre-forward any time soon.”