In what could have been one of the most shocking moves of the transfer window, Victor Osimhen was reportedly just 24 hours away from signing for Liverpool. The Super Eagles striker, who has made headlines across Europe for his power, pace, and goal-scoring instincts, was almost on a flight to Merseyside before the transfer dramatically collapsed.
The revelation came via football analyst Dave Davis during the latest episode of the Anfield Index podcast. According to Davis, Liverpool had reached an advanced stage in their pursuit of the Nigerian international, and all parties were poised to finalize the deal. But then, everything came crashing down.
Contrary to previous reports, it wasn’t Osimhen’s wage demands or Liverpool’s reluctance that scuttled the deal. Instead, the roadblock came from Napoli, specifically the complications surrounding loyalty payments due to Osimhen as part of his existing contract.
The issue, though seemingly minor in the grand scheme of transfer dealings, proved significant enough to halt what could have been a blockbuster move. Davis explained that the timing and the financial entanglement left Liverpool with no choice but to pull out at the last moment.
Had the deal gone through, it would have sent ripples across the Premier League. For one, Darwin Núñez’s future at Anfield would have been almost certainly over. The Uruguayan striker, who has struggled for consistency since his arrival, was reportedly preparing for a switch to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in a deal worth £70 million.
Interestingly, Davis claimed that Núñez’s absence in Liverpool’s Champions League fixture against PSV wasn’t due to illness, as publicly stated, but rather because he was on standby for his imminent transfer. The club had kept things under wraps, anticipating that Osimhen’s arrival would complete the domino effect.
But with the Nigerian striker’s move falling apart at the eleventh hour, Núñez was reinstated into the squad, and his potential exit was shelved. It was a dramatic U-turn that may have reshaped Liverpool’s tactical direction under new head coach Arne Slot.
Now, all eyes are back on Osimhen, whose future at Napoli remains uncertain. He has one year left on his current deal, and Napoli are expected to demand a significant fee if he is to leave this summer. But Davis believes Liverpool could still secure his signature for a bargain £60 million.
This is a considerable drop from the £100 million valuations floated by clubs like PSG and Chelsea last summer. With Napoli under pressure to sell and Osimhen reportedly keen on a new challenge, Liverpool could return to the table and reignite talks.
What makes Osimhen such an appealing target for the Reds is not just his goal-scoring record, but his fit within Arne Slot’s dynamic and high-pressing system. Slot is believed to admire Osimhen’s work rate and ability to stretch defenses — traits he values highly in his attacking players.
Adding fuel to the speculation, Osimhen recently scored the winner for Napoli in their tight clash against Samsunspor, reminding everyone of his elite finishing ability and composure under pressure. His performance only reinforces Liverpool’s interest, especially as they look to bolster their forward line in anticipation of a potential rebuild.
When comparing Osimhen to other targets on Liverpool’s radar, like Alexander Isak, the financial contrast is stark. While Isak could command a fee of around £120 million, Osimhen now presents a cheaper and arguably more complete option.
Meanwhile, Osimhen’s agent and inner circle are said to still be open to a move to the Premier League, and Liverpool remains one of the few clubs with the financial muscle and footballing project capable of luring him away from Italy.
The idea of a front three featuring Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, and Victor Osimhen is already sending waves of excitement through Liverpool supporters online. Many fans see Osimhen as the perfect spearhead to revive the team’s title aspirations under Slot.
But the window of opportunity might not stay open forever. Napoli could still attempt to tie Osimhen down to a new deal, or another European giant may swoop in with a late bid. Liverpool, having come so close once, must decide whether to go all-in again.
For now, the tale of the “almost transfer” continues to fascinate — a deal that was closer than anyone imagined, and one that may not be dead just yet.
Will Liverpool try again this summer? The next few weeks could define the trajectory of both Victor Osimhen’s career and Liverpool’s new era.
