Premier League champions Liverpool were recently said to have made a very interesting offer for Victor Osimhen, but it seems Napoli were not quite interested enough, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen is one of the most in-demand strikers in world football this summer.
After scoring 37 times in 41 games while on loan at Galatasaray last season, the Super Eagles frontman has attracted the attention of some of Europe’s biggest and best clubs, as well as Saudi giants Al-Hilal.
Among Osimhen’s apparent admirers are Liverpool, with multiple reports claiming the Reds had approached Napoli with a cash offer plus two players in part exchange. Those two players were Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa.
Victor Osimhen pictured (right) in action for Napoli against Liverpool in 2022 — image courtesy of IMAGO
But journalist Sebastien Vidal of Weekend Sports has suggested that the deal on the table fell just short of Napoli’s demands, despite gaining their attention.
Vidal tweeted this week: “Faced with the complexity of the Isak case, Liverpool have launched a shock offer to Napoli: Darwin Nunez + Federico Chiesa + £17 million to sign Victor Osimhen.
“Arne Slot wants an elite No. 9 to defend the title. Napoli are listening, but want more. Man Utd are also in the running… A big showdown ahead.”
Devant la complexité du dossier Isak, Liverpool a lancé une offre choc à Naples : Darwin Núñez + Federico Chiesa + 17M£ pour recruter Victor Osimhen
Arne Slot veut un n°9 d’élite pour défendre le titre. Naples écoute, mais veut plus. Man Utd aussi sur le coup…
Gros bras de…
— Sébastien Vidal (@SebEcrivainFoot) June 23, 2025
Napoli “want more” from Liverpool for Victor Osimhen
Vidal’s claim that Napoli “want more” is understandable on one hand. Osimhen is a world-class striker, and his release clause is valued at €75m (£64m) —which is significantly more than the cash part of Liverpool’s reported proposal.
However, you could make a case that Liverpool’s offer is actually worth significantly more than €75m.
As reported by TNT Sports, Liverpool splashed out a whopping €100m (including €25m in add-ons) when they signed Nunez from Benfica in 2022.
The Reds then paid Juventus €15m (including €3m in add-ons) to sign Chiesa last summer, according to ESPN.
Liverpool versus Newcastle United Federico Chiesa of Liverpool challenged by Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United [Photo credit/IMAGO]While player values can change, if you were to add the €115m cost of those transfer fees to the £17m (€20m) cash Liverpool are reportedly willing to pay for Osimhen, then the grand total of the offer to Napoli would be €135m.
But neither Nunez, 26, nor Chiesa, 27, has really lit up Anfield during their Liverpool careers to date.
Darwin Nunez applauds as Federico Chiesa of Liverpool lifts the Premier League Trophy during the Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Premier League match at Anfield [Photo credits]Although both picked up Premier League winners’ medals in the 2024-25 season, Nunez only scored five goals in 30 games, while Chiesa was unable to find the net in his six top-flight appearances.
However, Nunez and Chiesa are both experienced international players, with 35 and 51 caps for Uruguay and Italy, respectively.