Tottenham Hotspur join race for Napoli's Victor Osimhen?

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

The Nigeria international has enjoyed a positive start to the new campaign with the ruthless Partenopei, scoring four goals and providing one assist in eight appearances.

Osimhen's three goals in six Serie A games have helped Napoli storm to the top of the table as they aim to maintain a charge for the Scudetto, although he missed a few weeks of the season with a hamstring injury.

The ex-Lille man returned with a goal in last week's 3-2 success over Bologna, and he ended the 2011-22 season with 18 goals and six assists from 32 games in all tournaments.

Napoli can afford to play hardball in negotiations with interested parties, as Osimhen's contract does not expire until 2025, but he is expected to be at the heart of a transfer tussle next year.

© Reuters

The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea are believed to be interested in a deal for the 23-year-old, while Arsenal were also linked before striking a deal for Gabriel Jesus.

Now, Calciomercato claims that Tottenham are also plotting a move for Osimhen, who has been recommended to Fabio Paratici by Antonio Conte.

The report claims that Conte is set to be working with a budget of €200m (£174.4m), but a move for Osimhen could eat into at least half of that war chest.

As a result, the Nigerian is supposedly earmarked as a "secondary" option for the Lilywhites, who are reluctant to spend more than €100m (£87.2m) on one player.

Bayern Munich are also said to be keeping tabs on Osimhen, who is more interested in a club's sporting project and his prospects of regular starts rather than his pay packet.

© Reuters

Osimhen has totalled 32 goals and 10 assists in 70 games for Napoli since joining from Lille for £67.5m in the summer of 2020, and his agent Roberto Calenda recently played down his chances of leaving the Italian powerhouses in the near future.

"We haven't found out now that Osimhen is the subject of interest from so many teams, but things are done in three: who sells, who buys and the player," Calenda told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"I was immediately clear this summer because I knew there would be a lot of news coming out from those who had other interests perhaps. But I, the boy and Napoli had very clear ideas.

"Whoever talked about a departure made a mistake. It was Victor's will to stay at Napoli and play the Champions League that he won entry to last year together with his teammates. Victor wanted exactly that, to have a great year with Napoli, between the league and the Champions League.

"He has a long contract with the Azzurri. The market is dynamic, but our will is to continue at Napoli and continue to do well."

Tottenham did boost their attack with the acquisition of Richarlison for £60m in the summer, but the Brazilian is yet to get off the mark in the Premier League for his new club and is currently out with a calf injury.