“Napoli, Just Below Barcelona, Juventus” – Lille’s President Urges Osimhen To Make Serie A Move

The Nigerian forward is reportedly not too keen to play in Italy because of that country's racism links, but his current boss believes it is the best step for him at this stage of his career

Lille president Gerard Lopez is advising Victor Osimhen to join Napoli as he can thrive at the Italian Serie A side and become a city icon.

Osimhen is one of the most in-demand strikers in the world after the Super Eagles striker netted 18 goals for Lille last term and was recently voted the best African player in France.

While Lille are resigned to losing their finest attacker just a year after he joined from Belgium's Royal Charleroi, Osimhen prefers a move to England or Spain.

The former Wolfsburg forward is not short of La Liga or Premier League suitors with Barcelona and Manchester United previously linked with his securing his signature.

Osimhen recently travelled to Italy to hold talks with Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso and club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis. Still, the 21-year-old may be having last-minute doubts about the switch to the Serie A.

But Lopez, who confirmed that Lille had received multiple bids for the Nigerian, has urged Osimhen to seriously consider Napoli as a club almost as good as Juventus and Barcelona.

“Napoli is just below Juventus and Barcelona, they can be considered on the same level of Atletico Madrid,” Lopez said to La Voix du Nord via Gianluca Di Marzio.

“If Osimhen should go there, he would become their superstar: he has the quality to play under pressure, and I believe he would have a city like Napoli at his feet, which would be a unique thing in the career of a player.

“We have received differing offers for him, we are in agreement on discussing what will be best for his future, and with which coach he would do best with.”

Osimhen's maiden campaign in France also ended with him selected in the Ligue 1's Team of the Season ahead of Monaco's equally prolific Ben Yedder and compatriot Moses Simon.