Toni weighs in on Juve’s Osimhen plot
Italy 2006 World Cup winner Luca Toni feels Victor Osimhen offers more depth than Dusan Vlahovic but is unsure if the Nigerian would suit Thiago Motta’s playing style, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.
Osimhen is currently on loan at Galatasaray and will become available in the summer transfer window for a €75m release clause.
The 26-year-old has defied the clause to leave Galatasaray in the January transfer window as he reportedly turned down a move to English Premier League side Manchester United.
However, Juventus and other clubs in Europe will return to the negotiation table with his parent club Napoli at the end of the season with the hope of getting the Nigerian striker’s signature.
Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli brought Osimhen to Napoli in 2020, and reports in Italy suggest he’ll try to sign the striker again next summer, especially if Dusan Vlahovic leaves for a high transfer fee.
As the Old Lady continues to plot the move, Italy’s 2026 World Cup winner, Toni, feels Osimhen might not be the ideal candidate to replace Vlahovic, especially under their current coach Thiago Motta.
“At the end of the season, everyone will have to make assessments, starting with Juventus, who must decide what kind of striker they want to rely on,” ex-Juventus striker Toni told Gazzetta.
“Osimhen offers more depth than Vlahovic but perhaps links the play even less than Dusan. So, I’m unsure if it would make much difference for Thiago Motta.”
Regardless of Toni’s opinion, Juventus are likely to consider Osimhen as a priority in the summer, thanks to his proven record in the Serie A.
The Nigerian powered Napoli to their first league title in over three decades in 2023, scoring 26 goals in the Serie A.
Things however fell apart between him and the club the following season and the striker ultimately needed a new home to ply his trade.
Galatasaray provided the last resort for the player who had fallen out with the Napoli hierarchy and also walked away from the negotiation table for potential moves to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia due to personal terms.
Indeed, he has been enjoying a new lease of life in Turkey, powering their title ambition with 12 goals and four assists in 16 league games while he has also contributed five goals and one assist in six Europa League games.
Galatasaray are currently unbeaten in the Turkish Super Lig with 57 points, holding a six-point gap ahead of second-placed Fenerbahce.
They are also paired against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the playoffs of the UEFA Europa League.
