UEFA Champions League: Will Victor Osimhen change the ill-fortunes of wasteful PSG?

Twelve-time French Ligue 1 Champions, Paris Saint-Germain, were unable to find the back of the net in their UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool, Soccernet.ng reports.

In what was a night full of contrasts, Luis Enrique’s side were nearly perfect. PSG recorded the lion’s share of the ball possession (70%), and had 27 shots on goal, but a goal eluded them.

In the final five minutes of the game, Liverpool’s only shot on target broke the deadlock, although Gianluigi Donnaruma could have done better. However, the French side should have scored at least three goals.

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PSG started with a front three, including Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. They dominated the game, with the Napoli man scoring a brilliant first-half curler, which was later ruled out to be offside by the automated offside system.

For all their threats going forward, PSG lacked clinicality, which then begs the question of going all out for an actual striker in the summer.

Should PSG sign Osimhen?

In the last two years, Le Parisien have splashed €160m on strikers, bringing in Goncalo Ramos, and Randal Kolo Muani, but they’ve been more hits than misses.

Ramos isn’t consistent, and Kolo Muani has headed out on loan to Juventus after life in the French capital proved difficult for him.

PSG came closest to winning the UEFA Champions League in the 2019/2020 season under Thomas Tuchel but lost the final to Bayern Munich. A year later, Tuchel lifted the trophy with a far less talented Chelsea squad.

The French Powerhouse have undergone huge personnel changes in recent years, bidding farewell to Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, replacing them with younger players like Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele and Kvaratskhelia.

While many have predicted a struggle, PSG have thrived and are currently 13 points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table. Under Enrique, they look like a team willing to fight as a unit again, but on the biggest stage, they lack something unique.

Osimhen has scored 22 goals and provided five assists in 28 games for Galatasaray this season, on loan from Napoli. With an exit on the cards this summer, the Super Eagles striker will be allowed to leave Naples for a fee of around €75M.

Paris Saint-Germain were linked with the former Wolfsburg striker last summer, but his release clause proved too high. With a reduction, the French side can launch another offer. Additionally, they have the financial power to offer the one-time Serie A winner the wages he demands.

Osimhen could be the solution to PSG’s problems. The 26-year-old has a shot accuracy of 48% this season, meaning he hits the target with every other shot he takes and scores with every four, which is a key stat no current PSG player can boast of.

However, PSG face stiff competition from Manchester United and Chelsea, who are also keen on Osimhen. It is also widely believed that the striker prefers a move to the English Premier League. It’ll be an interesting battle between these sides when the transfer window opens next summer.