The Magpies were the biggest spenders in the just-concluded transfer window, but it could have been bigger if they had managed to sign their other two targets
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was the subject of a 100m euros bid (₦47.6b) from Newcastle, but it was rejected by Napoli.
According to Italian journalist Paolo Bargiggia as per CalcioNapoli24, Napoli received an offer in the region of 100m euros for Osimhen and 40m for Fabian Ruiz, but the Neapolitans were not interested in selling two of their most prized assets.
The journalist also added that both Osimhen and Ruiz were not interested in joining Newscastle, whose status in the Premier League is not guaranteed.
Newcastle are the richest club in the world after they were taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), but they are currently embroiled in a relegation battle.
The Magpies were busy in the January transfer window, bringing in five players, including Brazil international Bruno Guimarães.
They also signed Chris Wood from Burnley, but that did not stop them from making an offer for Osimhen, who is one of the best strikers in the Italian Serie A.
Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille for a club and African record fee of 81.3m euros in 2020, and he still has three years left on his contract.
Although he is yet to fully justify the amount spent on him, he is one of Napoli’s best players, and he is set to be the club’s main man when Lorenzo Insigne leaves in the summer.
Newcastle are not the only club interested in the Nigerian, though. Arsenal and Liverpool are also reportedly monitoring his situation in Naples.
