Insofar as anything is conclusive during the first few weeks of the summer transfer window, Liverpool have been issued a rather unequivocal no in regard to Alexander Isak.
Arne Slot would love nothing more than to front his project with Newcastle United’s “world-class assassin”, as Isak has been referred by pundit Alan Shearer, but PIF want a package in the region of £200m to free him from his £120k-per-week contract.
It’s not going to happen, in all likelihood. However, that doesn’t mean Liverpool will shelve their interest in a new number nine. There are alternative options on the market.
Liverpool are spending liberally this summer, no doubt, but this is hardly a scattergun approach from Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes; more so, the execution of meticulous planning.
The expeditious nature of their activity highlights FSG’s thought-out strategy, with the club-record signing od Florian Wirtz the perfect representation of that fact.
Why Liverpool signed Florian Wirtz
Wirtz is now officially a Liverpool player. Last week, the Merseysiders agreed a £100m fixed fee – which could rise to a British-record £116m – for Bayer Leverkusen’s star man; now, the Premier League champions have officially announced their marquee move.
After some protracted negotiations, Wirtz is finally Liverpool’s and will bring his “truly generational talent” – as has been said by sports media professional Cristian Nyari – to Slot’s side, a daunting thought for the club’s rivals both domestically and abroad.
But not for Liverpool. While Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave for Real Madrid upset more than a few, here we have a surpassing playmaker of a different breed, one who could spearhead years of sustained success.
And while Liverpool might not be able to secure Isak’s services this summer, there’s every chance that Wirtz could be leading the supply line for another first-rate centre-forward.
Liverpool lining up new striker
Several alternatives are on the line for Liverpool, including Hugo Ekitike, but as per Rousing the Kop, Liverpool have identified Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as the perfect option to sign this summer, should Isak remain out of reach.
Osimhen, who completed a successful loan move with Galatasaray last season, is looking to leave Naples this summer and is believed to have a £60m release clause in his contract.
The Turkish giants are looking to bring him back for good, while suitors in the Saudi Pro League continue their long-time bid to bring the 26-year-old over to the Gulf.
However, Liverpool could give him a place at the front of one of football’s most exciting projects.
Why Liverpool want Victor Osimhen
With Darwin Nunez set to depart – curiously, Napoli are chasing a deal for the Uruguay star – Liverpool could find they have a bargaining chip in negotiations with the Serie A champions for their profitable number nine.
After scoring 37 goals across 41 matches for Galatasaray last year, winning the Turkish Super Lig, the rangy and powerful frontman has kept his instruments sharp as he targets a statement move.
Osimhen has proven himself by now as one of Europe’s most reliable goalscorers, and though the Premier League would ostensibly present him with the highest calibre of opposition, across the span of a season, that he has faced in his career, with Wirtz by his side there will be more than enough support to maintain top levels of scoring.
|
Victor Osimhen – Past Five Seasons (all comps) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Apps |
Goals |
Assists |
|
24/25 – Galatasaray |
41 |
37 |
8 |
|
23/24 – Napoli |
32 |
17 |
4 |
|
22/23 – Napoli |
39 |
31 |
5 |
|
21/22 – Napoli |
32 |
18 |
6 |
|
20/21 – Napoli |
30 |
10 |
3 |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt |
|||
Osimhen’s complete attacking skill set and unflappable mentality suggest that not only could be a dream for Wirtz, but he’d ensure even the most ardent of Liverpool-supporting Isak fans are able to forget about Newcastle’s talisman.
Having spearheaded Napoli’s Scudetto-winning season of 2022/23, Osimhen established himself as one of the game’s true elite, even labelled as “the best striker on the market” by Statman Dave back in February.
Isak might be a bit more dynamic in his mobility, but the Nigerian is hardly a sluggish forward, having ranked among the top 4% of positional peers across Europe last season for shot-creating actions, the top 18% for progressive carries, the top 16% for ball recoveries and the top 9% for aerial battles won per 90, as per FBref.
A ball recovery is defined by the number of loose balls recovered by a player.
He’s a “transitional monster” described by analyst Ben Mattinson, with incredible off-the-ball awareness and positioning that should see him rake goals in by the dozen at Liverpool, with the likes of Wirtz and Mohamed Salah creating chances for him.
As per Sofascore, Wirtz, who is principally a central attacking midfielder but has the capacity to drift across most attacking areas, assisted 12 goals and created 17 big chances across the 2024/25 season.
In fact, deeper examination shows the German maverick to have averaged 2.1 key passes per game across his entire campaign, for club and country, which is a truly remarkable feat and the perfect illustration of how he will enhance the performance of someone like Osimhen.
To put that in perspective: Alexander-Arnold has averaged 1.9 key passes per fixture across the span of his own career – and, frankly, we all know just how peerless his playmaking has been at Liverpool.
Wirtz has proven himself across several seasons in the Bundesliga, winning the division’s Player of the Year award in 2023/24 after playing an instrumental part in Leverkusen’s invincible prize-winning campaign.
He’s only just getting started, and if allowed to forge a relationship with Osimhen, there’s no telling how deadly Liverpool could be next year.
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