Victor Osimhen may be celebrating another successful season in Istanbul, but developments at Liverpool have once again placed the Super Eagles striker at the centre of a major football debate, Soccernet.ng reports.
Liverpool have officially parted ways with manager Arne Slot after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign. The Dutch coach had arrived at Anfield with enormous expectations after succeeding Jürgen Klopp and immediately delivered success by leading the Reds to the Premier League title in his first season.
However, football can be brutally unforgiving. Just one year after lifting the trophy, Slot found himself out of a job following a dramatic collapse in Liverpool's fortunes.
The Merseyside club finished fifth in the Premier League, ending the season 25 points behind champions Arsenal. Across all competitions, Liverpool suffered 19 defeats and failed to mount a serious challenge for major honours despite significant investment in the squad.
Liverpool's hierarchy, led by Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, concluded that the team's direction was no longer convincing enough. Supporters became increasingly frustrated by a style of play many felt lacked the intensity and aggression that had defined Klopp's most successful sides.
The breakdown of Slot's relationship with several key figures also added to the pressure. Club legend Mohamed Salah publicly called for a return to Liverpool's traditional high-energy approach, while poor performances on the pitch continued to fuel criticism from fans.
Yet among all the reasons that will likely be discussed following Slot's departure, one transfer call will particularly attract attention. And that is Liverpool's decision not to sign Victor Osimhen.
Victor Osimhen: The summer transfer choice that changed everything
Ahead of the just-concluded season, Liverpool entered the transfer market searching for a striker capable of leading their title defence. Two names reportedly stood out above the rest. That of Victor Osimhen and Alexander Isak.
Osimhen was available after his difficult relationship with Napoli. His release clause had dropped to around €75 million, making him one of the most attractive options in European football. The Nigerian had already established himself as one of the continent's most feared forwards thanks to his pace, movement, aerial ability and relentless pressing.
At the time, he had powered Galatasaray to a rare league and cup double, scoring an astonishing 36 goals while on loan in Istanbul. Coupled with his excellent spell at Napoli where he led the club to a historic Scudetto title, Osimhen looked like the ideal man for Anfield.
Instead, Liverpool chose a different path. Slot preferred Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, believing the Sweden international's technical qualities and Premier League experience made him the ideal fit for his tactical system. Liverpool backed their manager fully, spending a British-record £125 million to bring Isak to Anfield.
Unfortunately for Slot, the move did not work out as planned. Isak endured a season heavily disrupted by fitness problems. Injuries limited his availability and prevented him from building momentum. By the end of the campaign, his goal return fell far below expectations, leaving Liverpool without the reliable goalscorer they desperately needed.
While Liverpool struggled, Osimhen was thriving. After completing a permanent move to Galatasaray, the Nigerian striker produced another outstanding campaign. He scored regularly in both domestic and European competitions and helped drive the Turkish giants to another league title.
As Liverpool's problems mounted, comparisons between the two strikers became unavoidable.
Why Victor Osimhen's success increased pressure on Slot
It would be inaccurate to say that Arne Slot lost his job solely because Liverpool did not sign Victor Osimhen. The Dutchman's dismissal was the result of numerous issues, including poor results, an underperforming squad, tactical concerns and dressing-room tensions.
However, Osimhen's performances magnified questions surrounding one of Slot's most important decisions. Many argued that Osimhen possessed exactly the qualities Liverpool lacked throughout the season.
The Nigerian is known for his aggressive pressing, direct running and ability to stretch opposition defences. Those attributes could have complemented players such as Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz while helping Liverpool rediscover the fast, attacking football that supporters wanted to see.
His aerial strength would also have provided an additional attacking weapon, especially during difficult matches against defensive opponents.
There was also the financial aspect. Osimhen's release clause was significantly lower than the fee Liverpool paid for Isak. In theory, the money saved could have been used to strengthen other areas of the squad.
As Liverpool's campaign deteriorated, the contrast between Osimhen's success in Turkey and Liverpool's struggles in England became an increasingly uncomfortable talking point.
In the end, Slot's fate was decided by far more than one transfer decision. Yet football is often defined by fine margins and crucial choices. The decision to overlook Victor Osimhen in favour of Alexander Isak became a symbol of a season in which too many important calls failed to deliver the desired outcome.
Now, with Slot gone and Liverpool searching for a new manager, questions about what might have happened had Osimhen arrived at Anfield instead are unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
