At some point, it was unclear when or even whether it would happen but at long last, Napoli announced the signing of Super Eagles star striker Victor Osimhen on July 31st from French outfit Lille to end weeks and weeks of speculations and endless media anticipatory articles on the topic. According to French sports newspaper L'Equipe, the deal is worth more than $96m (81.3m euros) making him the most expensive African player of all time. The Serie A side fended off competition from Arsenal and Chelsea to sign the Nigeria international. In fact, several reports would have us believe that Osimhen was not even initially keen on going to Italy. It was said that his preferred destination would have been a club in the English Premier League as Liverpool were heavily linked to the striker even as the deal with Napoli was being thrashed out. His sacked Agent Jean-Gérard Benoit Czajka was quoted has citing racism concerns as a key reason why Osimhen was initially reticent towards moving to the Italia Serie A. Now the move is done and dusted, the anticipation of this move will only be matched by the anticipation of what to expect from Osimhen going forward.
The Future Blistering Start: with the sort of cost associated with Osimhen's transfer to Napoli, the Under-17 World Cup winner will be expected to hit the goals ground running in Italy when the 2020-21 league resumes. A slow start may test the patience of Napoli fans. Goals galore: Osimhen will be expected to score a basket load of goals even in his first season in Serie A. His reputation as a serial goals scorer precedes him with his 13 goals in 27 league matches in France last season and 12 goals in 25 league matches in Belgium the season before. Assists: also as now undoubtedly a big-name-player, Osimhen will be expected to provide as much assists as he does scoring. His 5 assists in France last season and 3 in Belgium the season before in league matches are stats that will be expected to be improved upon. Osimhen will be expected to hold up play up front to bring others into promising positions to find the back of the net thereby boosting his own overall productivity as his reputation as a well rounded and grounded center forward who is able to score and create in equal measure. Big game player: all eyes will be on Osimhen in crucial mouth watering encounters of great significance. Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba hardly disappointed in his time for Chelsea during cup competitions in crucial knockout phases and in finals. Such will be the demands on Osimhen.
Super Eagles: it is now all but guaranteed that Osimhen will continue to be Nigeria's de facto starting centre forward. With crucial Afcon and world cup qualifiers on the horizon, Osimhen will be expected to establish himself as a goals machine in Italy and then replicate club form in the national team consistently thereby cementing his reputation as a ruthless goals scorer for club and country.
Conclusion
Super Eagles fans are over the moon about Osimhen's transfer to Napoli on a big money high profile move. The striker is surely on his was to becoming one of the greats African centre forwards.
Based on how he applied himself in Belgium 2 years ago and then France last season coupled with his amazing start to his Super Eagles career (with goals every other game), the future is tantalisingly bright for Victor Osimhen.
Super Eagles fans have a lot to look ahead to!
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