Liverpool have “already reached” an agreement with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, according to journalist Valter De Maggio.

The Nigerian international will have just a year left on his contract at the end of the season and Napoli have been trying desperately to tie down the player to a new deal. However, De Maggio claims that the involvement of the Reds has scuppered those plans:

“I’m talking about Liverpool. There would be frequent contacts, but I just learned something else: there would be agreements already reached. Let me clarify: the agreements would be between the Reds and the player, therefore they would not involve Napoli. I hope [President Aurelio De] Laurentiis will be able to keep Victor Osimhen at least until June, but we can’t be sure.”

While De Maggio hints that Jurgen Klopp’s side could make a move for Osimhen in January, it does seem unlikely, not only because De Laurentiis would demand a sizeable fee (the valuation is said to be €150m/£131m), but also due to the fact that AFCON takes place that month.

Liverpool are not the only team interested in Osimhen

Reports both in the English and Italian media have confirmed that Chelsea are very keen on the striker, while the likes of Arsenal and Real Madrid are also known to be interested.

If De Maggio’s information is accurate, though, it does appear as if the Reds have a head start in negotiations.

Why would the Merseysiders spend so much on another striker?

On the face of it, it is somewhat odd that the Reds are pushing so hard to sign Osimhen. After all, they have Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo who can all play as a no.9.

However, it may well be the case that the club see Osimhen as a potential replacement for Mo Salah instead. The Egyptian has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and, if he does leave Anfield, Liverpool will need to find someone to replace his goals.

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