Newcastle transfer news: Toon turn to Victor Osimhen following Dusan Vlahovic failure

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing a late swoop for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, after failing to land Dusan Vlahovic.

The Serbia international is set to join Juventus this month, with Sky Sports reporting a £62.8 million fee has been agreed with Fiorentina.

Newcastle were linked with Vlahovic leading up to January and again during. Realistically, a move for him was always going to very unlikely. He is without doubt one of the best young strikers in world football.

But it seems Newcastle are keen to land another centre-forward in addition to Chris Wood.

And Osimhen appears to be someone on their list, with just days remaining in the window.

Gazzetta dello Sport claimed last night that Newcastle are looking to the Nigeria international.

Interestingly, Osimhen is a player that was supposedly on PIF’s radar a full year before the takeover actually went through.

Apparently he was someone PIF felt could be a good addition for the club if they acquired it, along with Gareth Bale, Ferran Torres, Nathan Ake and Ciro Immobile.

PIF, of course, now own 80% of Newcastle and are in a position to facilitate a move for the 23-year-old.

So far this term, Osimhen has scored nine goals in 16 games.

He has been limited to just 16 gams after he suffered a cheekbone fracture earlier this season.

Victor Osimhen would be a statement signing by Newcastle

This would be a serious statement from Newcastle if they can sign Osimhen before Monday night’s transfer deadline.

He hasn’t really pulled up trees since his huge £66 million transfer from Lille in the summer of 2020 (Mirror).

Injuries have not helped his cause, but he still has a record just worse than a goal every two games.

Newcastle have signed Wood, who is a good target man type of centre-forward. But the New Zealand international lacks mobility.

This is something Osimhen has in abundance, and he can also finish really well, especially in one-on-one situations.

During his time at Lille he showed a real aptitude for springing the offside trap with his searing pace, before going on to often chip the goalkeeper.