16 February 2024 , 01:00
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Paris Saint-Germain have Victor Osimhen on their transfer shortlist to replace Kylian Mbappe after the superstar striker informed the club of his decision to leave in the summer.
Mbappe, 25, is set to depart the Parc des Princes when his contract expires at the end of the season, according to The Athletic. The forward joined PSG from Monaco in August 2017 and has since scored 243 goals in 290 matches during his time in the French capital, winning 13 major trophies.
PSG will now need to find a replacement for Mbappe - and they have already identified a potential target. According to The Athletic, Napoli talisman Osimhen has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Mbappe, with the French club eyeing up an approach during the summer transfer window.
Osimhen was instrumental in Napoli winning their first Serie A title in 33 years last season, netting 31 goals in 39 appearances. Although the Nigerian hasn't been at his flying best this season, he was named as the 2023 African Footballer of the Year following an impressive 12 months in December.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have all been linked with a move for Osimhen in the past and they could come back in for him this summer as they look to bolster their forward line. The 25-year-old is renowned for his presence, pace, strength and eye for goal and is regarded as one of the best strikers in Europe.
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United are looking to sign another centre forward and Osimhen is someone they could look to, having been tipped to sign him last year. Meanwhile, Arsenal are on the search for a new No.9, while Chelsea have struggled for consistency up front and could turn to Osimhen to solve their issues.
If PSG sign Osimhen, it would no doubt be a massive blow to those three Premier League clubs. Speaking last month, however, the ex-Lille man admitted he is pleased in Naples. "I am happy with the president. I have an excellent relationship with him, I am sincere.
PSG are eyeing up a move for Victor Osimhen (Getty Images)"I have a really good relationship with him, he has always been close to me since I arrived at Napoli in 2020 and I also have an excellent relationship with his family," he said.
"For me it is important to have a good relationship with the owner of the team. There have never been any problems between us, what happened has nothing to do with my relationship with him or his family.
"The president told me he always supported, even off the pitch, and I gave my all to win the scudetto for them too. It's always important to have this type of relationship with the owner of the club.
Victor Osimhen of Nigeria (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)"Of course I would like to play there [in the Premier League] one day, for now I have other plans for my career. But when the time comes you will know everything."
Osimhen is set to return to action for Napoli against Genoa on Saturday for the first time since he suffered heartbreak with Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles agonisingly lost to Ivory Coast in the final last weekend to end their hopes of winning the competition.
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