Why Southampton should reignite their interest in Victor Osimhen
According to a previous report from Belgian outlet Le Soir, Southampton had been credited with an interest in Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who was then plying his trade with Sporting Charleroi in Belgium on loan from Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg.
Premier League rivals Watford were also keen on securing the services of the 20-year-old but nothing came to fruition. (h/t Le Soir)
In the end, Charleroi exercised their option to buy Osimhen permanently in the summer after the Nigerian starlet gobbled up 20 goals in the previous campaign and sold him to French outfit Lille immediately to bag a sizeable profit.
The talented centre-forward, who has been held in high regard in Europe ever since winning the Golden Boot at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, has already taken significant strides towards fulfilling his potential over the past twelve months.
It was always going to be intriguing to see how Osimhen would cope with the challenge of playing in Ligue 1 after enjoying a prolific season in the Belgian top-flight and if the first few months of the ongoing campaign are anything to go by, the Nigerian prodigy has passed the test with flying colours.
Osimhen has already accumulated 7 goals and 2 assists in 9 league appearances for Lille, bagging as many as four man-of-the-match awards in the process.
As per whoscored, the Nigerian international averages a staggering 4.8 aerial duels, 1 key pass and 3.6 shots per game, figures which speak volumes of his fantastic start to the season.
To put things into perspective, Victor Osimhen has shown exactly why he is so highly-rated and Southampton would do themselves a world of good by going back in the market for his services in January.
Of course, the Saints would need to pay a lot more for his services if they choose to reignite their interest in the powerful centre-forward, given that he is now a proven material in one of the top five European leagues, but he could be well worth the outlay moving forward.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has clearly outlined his intentions of building a team around up and coming prospects and someone like Osimhen certainly fits the bill.
The Nigerian apparently has the physicality, as well as the clinical nature in his game to make a big impact on the Premier League, could be yet another fantastic addition to the Saints ranks that is already bursting with some quality young talent.
Despite splashing the cash on the talented youngsters like Moussa Djenepo and Che Adams, Southampton have endured a lacklustre start to their Premier League campaign this term, with the Saints currently languishing in the relegation zone after managing only a couple of victories from their first eight league fixtures.
Hasenhuttl has his work cut out in guiding the club to a respectable finish in the Premier League.
To that end, reigniting interest in an in-form striker like Osimhen could go a long way towards helping them get their season back on track.
The Saints have lacked an efficient focal point in their attack and the Nigerian powerhouse could possibly add another dimension to the forward line with his aerial ability and smart hold-up play, as well as his poaching instincts in front of goal.
Verdict
The 20-year-old is already making waves with his strong start to the season in France and, whilst he might take a bit of time to acclimatise to the surroundings in English football, one would expect him to excel in the long run, given his prodigious talent and vast potential.
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That said, Southampton making a move for Victor Osimhen would be yet another step that clearly underpins what exactly they are trying to achieve under the stewardship of Hasenhuttl, although they might have to break the bank to bring him to St. Mary’s.