Arne Slot has addressed Liverpool’s much-discussed links with Victor Osimhen, insisting the Nigerian striker was never a genuine target despite heavy speculation during the summer, Soccernet.ng reports.
Liverpool were among several Premier League clubs touted as possible destinations for the 26-year-old, alongside Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
With his Napoli chapter closing and lucrative Saudi Arabian offers turned down, Osimhen appeared destined for a move to England before sealing a record-breaking switch to Galatasaray following a successful loan spell in Turkey.
Slot, however, has now revealed that Liverpool’s focus was firmly elsewhere, with circumstances off the pitch reshaping their recruitment strategy after the tragic death of Diogo Jota in July.
Victor Osimhen or Hugo Ekitike? What Slot said
“How should I say this in the right way in English… Because of an enormous tragedy that happened with Diogo Jota in the end we had to bring in two number nines,” Slot said as per TeamTalk.
“We always thought we were going to replace Darwin Nunez, but in the end we had to bring in two number nines. We are always looking for very good players, but it was always clear to us from the start that we wanted to bring in these two [Ekitike and Isak] if we needed to.”
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The Reds spent a staggering £440m across the window, with Hugo Ekitike arriving and Alexander Isak signed for a British record £125m on deadline day. The duo were prioritised over other options, despite Osimhen’s reputation as one of Europe’s most reliable forwards.
That decision will face scrutiny on Tuesday night as Liverpool travel to Istanbul to meet Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Victor Osimhen is a major doubt to make the starting lineup for the encounter as the Nigerian forward is recovering from an injury picked up on international duty.
However, the former Lille star will be relishing the chance to make an impact against the Reds and show what the Merseyside club opted against.
