'It was always clear to us' - Slot sets record straight on Osimhen's links with Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has dismissed suggestions that Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was a serious transfer target for the club during the summer window.

The former Napoli forward was linked with Premier League quartet Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in the summer transfer window before completing a record-breaking move to Galatasaray.

Osimhen had a phenomenal season during his loan spell at the Lion last summer, registering 37 goals and 8 assists in 41 all-competition appearances as Galatasaray won the Super Lig and Turkish Cup.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Slot clarified that the Reds' attacking plans were centred around securing the services of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, following the departure of Darwin Núñez and the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.

The Premier League champions spent a combined 240 million euros to bring Isak and Ekitike to Anfield, which is staggering. 

When asked whether Victor Osimhen was on the list of players targeted by Liverpool in the summer, Slot replied: "We have added two number nines (Isak and Ekitike). 

"Unfortunately, it’s not the right word I should use because of an enormous tragedy that happened with Diogo Jota. In the end we had to bring in two number nines."

The manager explained that while the club initially planned to recruit just one replacement for Núñez, circumstances forced a shift in strategy.

"We always thought we were going to replace Darwin Núñez with one number nine but in the end we had to bring in two number nines, and we're always looking for very good players."

Addressing speculation that Osimhen, who had been linked with a move to Anfield, was on Liverpool’s radar, Slot made it clear the Nigerian striker was never under serious consideration.

"But it was always clear to us that from the start we wanted to bring in these two if we needed to."

Osimhen is in contention to make his third career appearance against Liverpool when Galatasaray face the Reds in Tuesday evening's Champions League encounter.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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