The Nigerian international is on the shopping list of some of the Premier League’s richest clubs, but a former Italian international believes the youngster has an unfinished mission in Naples
Former AS Roma and Fiorentina playmaker Gaetano D’Agostino has backed Victor Osimhen to fire Napoli to the Italian Serie A title if he stays at the club for another year.
Gaetano D’Agostino, however, believes Napoli must bring in another striker at the same level as Osimhen to partner the Nigerian forward and power Il Partenopei’s title ambitions.
Expressing his disappointment at Napoli missing out on winning the Scudetto this season, D’Agostino wants the Neapolitans to follow the two-striker template of title challengers AC Milan and Inter Milan.
One of the two Milan clubs will lift the Italian Championship this year. While AC Milan have two big forwards in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud, Inter’s Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko have shouldered most of the scoring burden for the Nerazzurri.
Although Lorenzo Insigne (10) and Dries Mertens (11) added 21 goals to Napoli’s Serie A cause, D’Agostino is unconvinced they are the strike partners that Osimhen needs.
And speaking on 1 Station Radio (via Tutto Napoli), the former Udinese star has charged Napoli to find and acquire a worthy partner for the Super Eagles ace.
D’Agostino said: “I was hoping for Napoli as champion, a little for love, a little for ‘Revenge of the South’.
“Napoli need a striker to flank Osimhen at his same level; Milan have Ibrahimovic and Giroud, Inter also have important couples, and in fact they are first and second (on the league table, Ed.).
“In Naples, there is no substitute for the Nigerian.”
It is, however, looking increasingly unlikely that Osimhen will remain in Naples beyond this summer. The 23-year is reportedly wanted by Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle, among several other European clubs.
Manchester United are believed to be considering a swap deal involving the Nigerian and French striker Anthony Martial.
Nothing is set in stone yet, though, as Osimhen is open to staying in Naples for another year.
