Liverpool manager Arne Slot has spoken for the first time about the club’s reported interest in Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen during the summer transfer window.
Osimhen, who was expected to leave Napoli after rejecting big-money offers from Saudi Arabia, was heavily linked with several Premier League giants — including Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United. Many believed the 26-year-old was destined for a move to England before he surprisingly signed a record-breaking deal with Turkish champions Galatasaray after a successful loan spell in Turkey.
However, Slot has now clarified that Liverpool were never seriously pursuing Osimhen. According to him, the club’s transfer plans changed dramatically after a devastating off-field incident — the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota in July.
Speaking to TeamTalk, Slot explained:
“How should I say this in the right way in English… Because of an enormous tragedy that happened with Diogo Jota, in the end we had to bring in two number nines.
We always thought we were going to replace Darwin Núñez, but in the end we had to bring in two number nines. We are always looking for very good players, but it was always clear to us from the start that we wanted to bring in these two [Ekitike and Isak] if we needed to.”
Slot’s comments confirm that Liverpool’s priorities shifted from chasing Osimhen to replacing key squad members urgently.
While fans had hoped to see Osimhen in a Liverpool shirt, the club ultimately focused on signing Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak as their new attacking options.
The Nigerian striker will now begin a new chapter at Galatasaray — and Premier League fans will have to wait a little longer to see him in England.
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