Pundit reveals Arsenal wanted Osimhen; Napoli striker will be worth as much as Lukaku in 2022

Journalist and transfer market expert Paolo Bargiggia has predicted that Victor Osimhen will be worth as much as Chelsea's record acquisition Romelu Lukaku in the summer of 2022.

Man of the moment, Osimhen has seen his stock rise following his brilliant performances in 2021-2022 with six goals in his last four games, making him the top scorer Europe's top five leagues in all competitions for the month of September, an honour he shares with Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

Belgium star Lukaku became the most expensive player in Chelsea's history when he ended his association with Inter Milan last month in exchange for 115 million euros.

"Osimhen, at a cash level, was paid only 50 million: a figure that, with hindsight, is low," Bargiggia said on 1 Station Radio via Area Napoli.

"Let's forget that the four counterparts given to Lille were convenient for the budget, but Osimhen, in a year, he can reach over 100 million and approach the ratings of Romelu Lukaku.

"Moreover, he earns only 5 million gross in salary, not much, for a striker of his caliber".

Bargiggia revealed that Arsenal were set to sign Osimhen before Napoli lured him away from the Premier League club last year.

"You must know that Osimhen was followed by Arsenal: he was very close to the Gunners, but Cristiano Giuntoli spoke with Aurelio De Laurentiis and the president broke the delay: so Napoli decided and managed to buy him," he concluded.

Apart from Arsenal, Osimhen's manager Osita Okolo previously informed allnigeriasoccer.com that Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Chelsea explored ways to sign the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup Golden Boot winner.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel