Newcastle are in the market for a new striker and, according to a new report, have set their sights on acquiring the services of Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen, who is currently on the books of Lille OSC of France.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is the darling of several European clubs at the moment as the Chronicles have confirmed that Newcastle United scouts are keeping tabs on the young but exciting Lille star.
Earlier in the week, news broke out that Barcelona had jumped ahead of the queue of clubs seeking to snap Osimhen away from Lille as the Catalonia giants begin to prepare for post-Suarez.
Osimhen enjoyed a breakthrough season last term at Sporting Charleroi where he banged in 20 goals in just his first season in Belgium.
The 20-year-old was quickly snapped up by Lille in the summer as a replacement for Portugal’s Leao who left for AC Milan.
But the former Wolfsburg lad has however been compared frequently to the prolific Nicolas Pepe who departed for Arsenal in a £72m deal, having netted eight goals in 11 appearances for the Ligue 1 side this season.
Osimhen only joined Lille from Belgian outfit Charleroi for £10.8million.
It is his exploits in France, and lately in the UEFA Champions League, that has compelled Newcastle’s head of recruitment Steve Nickson and his team to include Osimhen in their compiled list of striking options for Steve Bruce in the next couple of windows.
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce will have money available to spend in January and he may look to do a deal for the Nigerian if possible.
On Friday, Bruce said: “We’ll start planning in the next couple of weeks, but January is always a difficult window.
“Well see what’s out there.”