EPL Striker That Could Replace Victor Osimhen At Napoll
Written By Onyeka Daniel
It’s looking more likely that Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen will be sold by his Italian club, Napoli with the level of interest the forward has generated after leading the Neapolitan club to their first Italian League title in many years.
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First it was the club’s sporting director, First it was the club’s sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli who confirmed that he was leaving, then the team’s manager, Luciano Spaletti also confirmed that he would stepping down from his role to take a rest.
Furthermore, South Korean defender, Kim Min-Jae is also expected to depart as English Premier League side, Manchester United prepare to activate his release clause in the summer and now, Osimhen could also follow him out of the exit door.
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Not to be caught unawares, the Serie A champions are looking at several options to fill the gap that would be left by the exit of their top striker.
Top on their list is Arsenal striker, Folarin Balogun, who spent last season on loan at French club, Reims, where he was really impressive with his goal scoring and is set to return back to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are set to do business on Balogun at the right price – they will look for at least £30million – after the 21-year-old had a prolific season on loan at Stade Reims. Balogun scored 21 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions for the French side to cement his status as one of the best young strikers in Europe.
Arsenal are ready to let Balogun go to help balance the books as they expect a busy summer of ins and outs at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta has made Declan Rice his number one transfer target, but knows West Ham could hold out for £100m for their captain.
Balogun has enjoyed his stint with Reims and believes he is ready for regular first-team football – something that Arsenal are unlikely to give him. Arteta signed Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City last summer and the Brazilian is the undisputed first-choice at centre-forward, with Eddie Nketiah providing back-up.
The young forward who recently pledged his allegiance to USA is under contract with Arsenal until 2025, but has suggested that he would be open to leaving this summer. Asked what his future holds recently, Balogun said:
“Contractually I have to go back [to Arsenal]. Because the loan was only for one year so that was always the agreement. But I’m not sure what is going to happen in the future. A lot could happen in football, a lot could change, and it just depends on the conversations we have between me and the club in the summer, and we’ll see what happens.”
He added: “Yeah I mean there’s no door that’s closed. Of course I have had a good year here and to a lot of people it makes sense for me to come back here. So yeah I mean I don’t know what the future will bring.” Apart from Balogun, Atalanta young forward, Rasmus Hojlund is also in their radar while they still have Giacomo Raspadori in the team too.
Meanwhile…
West Ham forward, Michail Antonio has come out to give the reason why his teammate and Italy striker, Gianluca Scammaca has struggled with the Hammers one year since making the move to England.
The former Sassuolo striker has scored eight goals in 27 appearances with the Hammers this season but spent the second part of the campaign on the treatment table due to a knee injury which he treated with surgery in mid-April.
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His teammate Antonio discussed Scamacca’s struggles at West Ham with the Filthy Fellas podcast, saying: “He can’t play the way the gaffer plays. With David Moyes, you have to feed off scraps, be a fighter… and that’s not him.” He said.
Scamacca’s contract with the Hammers expires in June 2027, but multiple sources in Italy claim a return to Serie A is on the cards. AC Milan and Juventus are said to be monitoring the situation with a loan move the most likely option.
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