SOCCER
Napoli could sign Santiago Giménez to replace Victor Osimhen
Napoli are considering signing the Feyenoord striker to replace the Nigerian, who, barring any surprises, will leave next summer.
A lot of changes are going to happen to Napoli during the upcoming summer transfer market. The club owner, famous film producer De Laurentiis, is already looking for his new head coach (unless miracles happen with Calzona in this final stretch of the season) and a new sporting director. As well as these two changes off the pitch, the squad - which has struggled this season - will also see some ins and outs.
The easiest and most anticipated sale is that of Victor Osimhen. His release clause, €130 million ($141m), makes his signing more affordable compared to a year ago, and the Italian fans are resigned to losing him. The Azzurri, according to news outlet ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’, have a name at the top of their list to replace their hero: Santiago Giménez.
How much is Santiago Giménez worth?
Giménez has 44 goals in 73 appearances in a Feyenoord shirt and his age (22) makes him a perfect target for the Serie A side, who have always managed to find top tier centre-forwards. Cavani, Higuaín, the explosion of Mertens and then Osimhen: over the last 14 years, Napoli has not gone without a great goal scorer.
Giménez is already worth around €50 million ($54m), a figure that does not scare De Laurentiis, who spent more or less the same to sign Osimhen in 2020. Many defined the investment as excessive for the Nigerian, but time proved the president to be correct.
It is also possible that, in addition to Victor Osimhen, there will be another forward who will leave the club. Simeone is playing less than expected and Raspadori, who has a contract until 2028 and cost €35 million ($38m), will stay only if he will have a key role in the new project.
Napoli sit way down the league table in 7th position, 9 points away from Bologna in 4th place. They have scored 44 goals in 29 games, the joint-fifth-highest tally, level with Juventus.
However, they have conceded 10 more goals than The Old Lady, which is why they are currently outside of the places to make it into Europe’s elite competition. They are also out of the UEFA Champions League, having lost to Barcelona in the Round of 16.