Olaleye Idowu
The football headlines this week have been about centre-forwards.
On Friday, Manchester City announced that Erling Haaland had signed a stunning nine-and-a-half-year deal to remain with the Premier League club.
Haaland has taken the English top flight by storm.
The 24-year-old, who has 79 league goals so far, has scored 0.9 goals per game, significantly higher than the 0.59 achieved by record-holder, Alan Shearer.
And Haaland has Shearer’s records in his sight.
“All I have to say is, I’m sorry, I’m here to stay,” the Norwegian said during the official confirmation of his new deal.
Then, some teams desperately need a striker, like Arsenal and Manchester United.
For the Gunners, they will be without key attackers- Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus for a long spell. What Mikel Arteta has left are Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling, who have been largely ineffective in front of goal.
Arteta has admitted they need to bring in a forward this month to help their title ambitions.
United don’t have similar injury issues. Ruben Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag midway through the season, has to find a way to squeeze goals out of Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund.
Maybe Victor Osimhen could be the answer for both.
Interestingly, Osimhen came very close to joining Chelsea last summer, as Napoli pushed him towards the door.
Speaking on his podcast, former Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi claimed the deal was very close. However, “slight issues” saw it fall apart at the last minute.
Osimhen has since rocked up at Galatasaray on a season-long deal, where he has not stopped banging in goals.
At the time of this report, the 26-year-old already has netted 10 goals and registered four assists in only 13 league games.
“It has been very positive,” Clinton McDubus, a top football analyst and podcaster, tells Urban Express News Online.
“I think his reputation has been enhanced and everyone can see he’s worth the punt, which is exactly what it was supposed to do for him.”
Osimhen also has a £63million release clause in his Napoli club that could be activated at any time, even in January.
He has been linked with Arsenal, United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
Should Osimhen consider a move to a top-five team if an offer arrives?
“I think he absolutely should if the offer is great,” McDubus said.
“Ideally, a Champions League team.
“It’s the business end of the season and he can do so much. But he should not just take anything that comes.
for honours, “If the offer isn’tfrom a top team competing for honours, he can stay at Galatasaray and finish the season there.
“He should only move to a team currently in the CL and actively challenging for trophies.”
However, McDubus would rather Osimhen pick PSG ahead of their Premier League rivals.
He said: “PSG, 100%. They are in trouble in the Champions League because they lack a player like Osimhen. He is the answer to all their woes.”
