Liverpool make proposal to sign £64m “monster”

Liverpool finally have their man. No, it’s not Alexander Isak just yet, but it is Florian Wirtz, one of, if not the best no.10 in European football right now.

After winning the Premier League title, FSG and Arne Slot wanted to make a statement signing. Well, Wirtz is certainly that.

Signing for a British record £116m, the Reds have shattered their own transfer record in the process to bring in an instant upgrade to their team.

There were complaints that Dominik Szoboszlai didn’t score enough goals, notably bagging just six times in the top-flight during 2024/25.

By way of comparison, Wirtz netted ten Bundesliga goals and 16 in all competitions. He also provided 15 assists for his troubles.

With Milos Kerkez also now reportedly on his way, what’s next for Liverpool?

Liverpool’s next big move after Wirtz

The name on everyone’s lips at Anfield over the last week has been Alexander Isak.

When Newcastle United secured Champions League football on the final day of the season, few expected him to leave the Toon behind. In fact, a deal to lure the Swede away from St James’ Park still looks very difficult.

However, if Newcastle do sell, then Liverpool will be right at the front of the queue. Reports this week suggest he is their dream signing and they are prepared to launch another record-breaking move to partner Wirtz with an elite striker.

Yet, if a move doesn’t materialise, they will have to look elsewhere and they could find their Darwin Nunez upgrade in Victor Osimhen.

That’s according to Italian journalist Valter Di Maggio, who, speaking on a Naples-based radio show on Friday, revealed that talks have occurred between Napoli and Liverpool regarding the Nigerian centre-forward.

He began by noting that “the English club wants Osimhen” but the Serie A side are unwilling to budge on their valuation of the player, which stands at £64m.

Napoli sporting director, Giovanni Manna, has allegedly asked for information concerning Nunez and Federico Chiesa, with Liverpool actually proposing that a player-swap deal occurs.

Napoli are not happy with that, however, and are “asking for Chiesa, Nunez and €20m for Osimhen’s services.”

Why Wirtz and Salah would love Osimhen

Isak is the number one choice for a lot of clubs this summer and it’s clear to see why.

The Swede was one of the most feared forwards in European football across 2024/25, scoring 27 goals in all competitions.

However, with an asking price that could reach as much as £150m, any more is incredibly unlikely.

So, in the shape of Osimhen, they could sign another of the continent’s most revered strikers, and for a lot less cash too.

Liverpool have successfully strengthened in a host of areas this summer, replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, upgrading on Andy Robertson at left-back and providing competition for Szoboszlai.

The missing puzzle piece you feel is up top, where Nunez is likely to leave and Diogo Jota is very much an injury-prone asset. Osimhen, then, would be another upgrade for Slot and Co, handing Wirtz and Mohammed Salah a player who could take them to new heights.

While Salah wasn’t fully a one-man band this season, his assist tally of 23 in all competitions and 18 in the league could have been much higher if he had a set of more clinical teammates.

The Egyptian was just two assists behind equalling Thierry Henry’s record of 20 for a single Premier League campaign, but with Osimhen up front, the Nigerian could be the man to help him set records.

Equally, the 26-year-old could be the right person to ensure a smooth transition into English football for Wirtz. Both players are two of the most creative in the game and would surely thrive with Osimhen in front of them.

After all, the Napoli sensation is one of the best in Europe, hailed as a “monster” by data analyst Ben Mattinson for his form over the last few years. On loan at Galatasaray this season, he scored as many as 37 goals in 41 games, ten more than Isak, albeit at an easier level.

But, the powerhouse striker has demonstrated his ability to do it in a top-five league in the past, famously scoring 31 goals throughout the 2022/23 campaign as Napoli won the Serie A title.

So, with Salah and Wirtz behind him, both ranking inside the top 10% of positionally similar players in Europe for assists per 90 minutes over the last year, this could be a match made in heaven for all parties.