Liverpool lastly have their man. No, it is not Alexander Isak simply but, however it’s Florian Wirtz, certainly one of, if not the finest no.10 in European soccer proper now.
After successful the Premier League title, FSG and Arne Slot needed to make an announcement signing. Nicely, Wirtz is actually that.
Signing for a British file £116m, the Reds have shattered their very own switch file within the course of to usher in an instantaneous improve to their staff.
There have been complaints that Dominik Szoboszlai did not rating sufficient targets, notably bagging simply six occasions within the top-flight throughout 2024/25.
By means of comparability, Wirtz netted ten Bundesliga targets and 16 in all competitions. He additionally offered 15 assists for his troubles.
With Milos Kerkez additionally now reportedly on his manner, what’s subsequent for Liverpool?
Liverpool’s subsequent massive transfer after Wirtz
The title on everybody’s lips at Anfield during the last week has been Alexander Isak.
When Newcastle United secured Champions League soccer on the ultimate day of the season, few anticipated him to go away the Toon behind. In actual fact, a deal to lure the Swede away from St James’ Park nonetheless seems very troublesome.
Nonetheless, if Newcastle do promote, then Liverpool shall be proper on the entrance of the queue. Stories this week recommend he’s their dream signing and they’re ready to launch one other record-breaking transfer to companion Wirtz with an elite striker.
But, if a transfer would not materialise, they must look elsewhere they usually may discover their Darwin Nunez improve in Victor Osimhen.
That is in response to Italian journalist Valter Di Maggio, who, talking on a Naples-based radio present on Friday, revealed that talks have occurred between Napoli and Liverpool relating to the Nigerian centre-forward.
He started by noting that “the English membership desires Osimhen” however the Serie A aspect are unwilling to budge on their valuation of the participant, which stands at £64m.
Napoli sporting director, Giovanni Manna, has allegedly requested for info regarding Nunez and Federico Chiesa, with Liverpool really proposing {that a} player-swap deal happens.
Napoli should not proud of that, nevertheless, and are “asking for Chiesa, Nunez and €20m for Osimhen’s providers.”
Why Wirtz and Salah would love Osimhen
Isak is the primary alternative for lots of golf equipment this summer time and it is clear to see why.
The Swede was one of the crucial feared forwards in European soccer throughout 2024/25, scoring 27 targets in all competitions.
Nonetheless, with an asking worth that would attain as a lot as £150m, any extra is extremely unlikely.
So, within the form of Osimhen, they might signal one other of the continent’s most revered strikers, and for lots much less money too.
Liverpool have efficiently strengthened in a bunch of areas this summer time, changing Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, upgrading on Andy Robertson at left-back and offering competitors for Szoboszlai.
The lacking puzzle piece you are feeling is up prime, the place Nunez is prone to go away and Diogo Jota could be very a lot an injury-prone asset. Osimhen, then, can be one other improve for Slot and Co, handing Wirtz and Mohammed Salah a participant who may take them to new heights.
Whereas Salah wasn’t totally a one-man band this season, his help tally of 23 in all competitions and 18 within the league may have been a lot greater if he had a set of extra scientific teammates.
The Egyptian was simply two assists behind equalling Thierry Henry’s file of 20 for a single Premier League marketing campaign, however with Osimhen up entrance, the Nigerian might be the person to assist him set data.
Equally, the 26-year-old might be the fitting particular person to make sure a clean transition into English soccer for Wirtz. Each gamers are two of probably the most inventive within the sport and would absolutely thrive with Osimhen in entrance of them.
In any case, the Napoli sensation is among the finest in Europe, hailed as a “monster” by information analyst Ben Mattinson for his kind over the previous couple of years. On mortgage at Galatasaray this season, he scored as many as 37 targets in 41 video games, ten greater than Isak, albeit at a neater stage.
Purpose tallies: Osimhen vs Isak since 2020 | ||
---|---|---|
Season | Osimhen | Isak |
2020/21 | 10 | 17 |
2021/22 | 18 | 10 |
2022/23 | 31 | 11 |
2023/24 | 17 | 25 |
2024/25 | 37 | 27 |
Stats by way of Transfermarkt. |
However, the powerhouse striker has demonstrated his potential to do it in a top-five league up to now, famously scoring 31 targets all through the 2022/23 marketing campaign as Napoli received the Serie A title.
So, with Salah and Wirtz behind him, each rating inside the highest 10% of positionally comparable gamers in Europe for assists per 90 minutes during the last yr, this might be a match made in heaven for all events.
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