Liverpool 'join the race for Napoli's Victor Osimhen'

Liverpool are reportedly in the running to sign Napoli centre-forward Victor Osimhen during this summer's transfer window despite failing to qualify for the 2023-24 Champions League.

The Reds will play in the Europa League rather than the Champions League next term, having finished outside of the top four in England's top flight in 2022-23.

However, the Merseyside giants will be active during the summer market, with head coach Jurgen Klopp looking to boost his squad in all areas.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool are one of a number of clubs keen to secure Osimhen's services this summer, with the Reds potentially making an offer 'in the coming days'.

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are also being heavily linked with the Nigeria international, who is thought to be valued by his Italian side in the region of £130m.

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PSG are planning to move for a new centre-forward this summer, with Lionel Messi leaving the club on a free transfer, while there remains uncertainty surrounding the futures of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Man United, meanwhile, view signing a striker as their main priority, with the club short in that area of the field ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Harry Kane is no longer believed to be a realistic option due to Tottenham Hotspur making it clear that they will not allow the England captain to move to a domestic rival.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils have allegedly been priced out of a deal for Randal Kolo Muani, with Eintracht Frankfurt wanting as much as £80m for the France international this summer.

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Osimhen was in excellent form for Napoli during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 31 goals and registering five assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.

The 24-year-old netted five times in six Champions League outings, while he scored 26 goals and provided five assists during Napoli's Serie A title-winning campaign.

Since arriving in Naples from Lille in the summer of 2020, Osimhen has scored 59 goals and registered 14 assists in 101 appearances for his Italian club.

Mohamed Salah was Liverpool's leading goalscorer last season, netting 30 times in all competitions, while Darwin Nunez managed 15 in his first campaign at the club.

However, the third-highest goalscorer last term, Roberto Firmino, has moved on this summer, while Diogo Jota only managed seven goals during an underwhelming campaign.