Juventus are making a strong push to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli this summer, with a player-plus-cash deal reportedly in the works.
The Bianconeri have identified Osimhen as a key part of their attacking rebuild and are willing to include defender Federico Gatti in the deal to tempt Napoli into negotiations.
According to reports, Juventus understands the complexities of signing Osimhen, as Napoli are reluctant to sell their star striker to a direct Serie A rival.
However, the Turin-based club hopes to use Napoli’s defensive concerns and manager Antonio Conte’s admiration for Gatti as leverage.
Osimhen, who was instrumental in Napoli’s Scudetto-winning campaign in 2023, has been in excellent form this season.
The 26-year-old striker is currently on loan at Galatasaray, where he has scored 20 goals in 22 league appearances, making him one of the most sought-after forwards in European football.
Juventus’ Strategy: Gatti as a Bargaining Chip
Napoli manager Antonio Conte has long been an admirer of Federico Gatti, and Juventus are looking to use this to their advantage. The Italian center-back could help strengthen Napoli’s defense, which has struggled at times this season.
Juventus are also restructuring their attack, with plans to offload Serbian striker Dušan Vlahović and extend Randal Kolo Muani’s loan deal with Paris Saint-Germain. Adding Osimhen would provide a much-needed boost to their forward line as they aim to reclaim Serie A dominance.
However, negotiating with Napoli will not be easy. Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is known for his tough stance on transfers, particularly when it comes to selling top players within the league. Juventus may have to significantly increase their cash offer alongside Gatti to convince Napoli to agree to the deal.
Osimhen’s Record-Breaking Form
Since joining Napoli in 2020, Osimhen has established himself as one of Europe’s top strikers. His 26 goals in the 2022/23 season helped Napoli win their first league title in 33 years, making him the first African player to win the Serie A Golden Boot.
His international career has also been remarkable. Osimhen recently made history while on duty with the Nigerian national team, surpassing Segun Odegbami’s 44-year-old goalscoring record. He netted his 24th and 25th goals for the Super Eagles in a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Kigali.
Former Nigerian international Odegbami expressed his excitement about Osimhen breaking his record.
“Osimhen has finally overtaken me, and I think that is good because the record has been hanging on for a very long time. I am very happy for him, and I want to say good luck to him,” Odegbami
Osimhen is now Nigeria’s second-highest all-time goal scorer, behind only the legendary Rashidi Yekini, who scored 37 goals for the Super Eagles.
Competition from Other Clubs
While Juventus are pushing for Osimhen, they are not the only club interested. European giants like Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring his situation.
Chelsea, in particular, have been long-term admirers of Osimhen as they look for a reliable goal scorer. PSG could also enter the race if Kylian Mbappé leaves for Real Madrid in the summer.
With Napoli reportedly valuing Osimhen at around €120 million, Juventus will have to act quickly and strategically to secure his signature ahead of their rivals.
Osimhen’s future remains uncertain, but it is clear he is set for a big move this summer. Juventus see him as a key part of their rebuilding process, but they face tough competition and challenging negotiations with Napoli.
If Juventus can successfully execute their player-plus-cash strategy, it could mark one of the biggest transfers of the summer. However, with interest from top European clubs, the battle for Osimhen’s signature is only just beginning.
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