Report: Liverpool failed in late bid to sign Victor Osimhen

Liverpool made a late play to try and sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli during the latter stages of the summer transfer window, a report has claimed.

Osimhen was determined to leave Italy following the 2023/24 season and had been in talks over moves to Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. A sizeable offer from Al Ahli was also on the table, but the striker wanted to stay in Europe and the Saudi Pro League side turned to Brentford's Ivan Toney instead.

Such blockbuster moves never materialised during the main European transfer window, though the Nigeria international has secured a loan to Turkish champions Galatasaray.

But Corriere dello Sport write that one other notable European giant were interested in Osimhen, with Liverpool 'trying a blitz' to sign him at the deadline.

However, the Reds came across a similar problem to Chelsea - although Napoli were more than happy to sanction an exit, Osimhen refused to come down on his hefty wage demands and so a deal fell through.

Liverpool were notably inactive for much of the summer window following the appointment of Arne Slot as head coach and Richard Hughes as sporting director. They heavily pursued Euro 2024 winner Martin Zubimendi to strengthen their midfield ranks, but he opted to stay at Real Sociedad.

Hughes was able to wrap up an agreement to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in 2025, while long-term Liverpool target Federico Chiesa was acquired from Juventus on a cut-price deal which could rise to £12.5m.

Liverpool have made a superb start to the 2024/25 season under Slot, winning all three of their Premier League games thus far, including a 3-0 thrashing of rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.