The Victor Osimhen saga is far from over after his lethal dismantling of Tottenham – why Premier League big boys would be crazy not to go for him, writes MATT BARLOW

For an hour against Tottenham, Victor Osimhen issued a reminder that one of the world’s finest centre forwards is spending one of his prime seasons in one of Europe’s footballing outposts.

He was close to unplayable. Dynamic and forceful, he scored twice and could easily have doubled that. His movement, his awareness to assess delivery in an instant and fashion effective efforts at goal with either foot or his head was exhilarating.

And, yes, it was against Spurs, a treat for anyone who trades in goals because they are often wide open and will give you chances. Indeed, it was against Spurs with three quarters of the first-choice back four absent.

But Osimhen in that sort of mood would trouble far more diligent defensive units. And it must have left an English audience to wonder once again why none of the wealthiest Premier League clubs got a deal over the line despite their interest.

And whether any of them might revive their interest, be that in January or more likely next summer.

Osimhen was close to unplayable against Tottenham and could have doubled his two-goal tally

All the clamour has been around Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon, inspired by Ruben Amorim‘s impending move to Manchester United and the theory he might go back for him.

We know Chelsea like Osimhen because they tried to sign him. Arsenal could use a proper centre forward. Maybe Liverpool could, too. How his arrival would lift spirits and revive the spirit of adventure at Newcastle.

Manchester United made enquiries this year and last. During which time they invested the same amount in the raw potential of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee as it would have taken to meet the release clause in Osimhen’s Napoli contract.

With hindsight, it does not look like the best of business. Osimhen is world class, a complete striker, and Galatasaray have played a blinder. They have paid no loan fee and convinced him to take a wage cut, paying only 60 per cent of his £8.3m net salary. Napoli are not topping it up.

The Turkish champions took advantage of their extended transfer window after lingering interest from Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia fizzled out, leaving Napoli with an expensive problem. Osimhen cost them £67.5m from Lille in 2020 and his 26 goals in 2022-23 fired them to a first Scudetto in 33 years.

Things unravelled after manager Luciano Spalletti’s exit. Osimhen lost form and had injuries, and there was a storm sparked by an astonishing clip posted and then deleted on the club’s TikTok channel ridiculing the Nigeria forward for missing a penalty.

Legal threats were issued from the player’s camp, although some sort of peace was restored when he signed a new contract in December with a release clause set for £108million during the summer transfer window.

The only offer deemed acceptable by the Italian club was of £66.5m from Al Ahli, which they accepted but Osimhen rejected because he did not fancy moving at 25 to Saudi Arabia.

Osimhen is world class, a complete striker, and Galatasaray played a blinder in signing him

He left Napoli after being affected by a drop in form, injuries and legal threats from his camp

Manchester United held interest in Osimhen but ultimately swooped for Rasmus Hojlund

Napoli, meanwhile, had signed Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea at the behest of their new manager Antonio Conte, so the move to the Turkish Super Lig was a chance to cut losses and hope Osimhen might score some goals to inflate his value. 

This, he has certainly done.

Galatasaray are rich in history with a fierce ambition driven by Istanbul’s footballing rivalries and expectations of fans who whip up a frenzy on match days like few others. Even so, they anticipate a fight to stop others tempting Osimhen away and it is a fight intensified by Mauro Icardi’s cruciate injury against Spurs.

Now it feels imperative they do not lose Osimhen in midseason. They are trying to strike a permanent deal, although that will be difficult. Napoli officials were in Istanbul for the Spurs game and to hold negotiations.

Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek told fans he would put together an attractive package with the help of sponsors but it will not be close to the £66.5m fee which Napoli accepted from Al Ahli.

There is no prospect of Osimhen playing for Napoli again but before leaving for Istanbul he extended his contract until 2026 to protect his value.

The Italian club have an option to extend it for a further year beyond that.

We have not heard the last of this one. The saga will reach another stage and having seen him back at his best against Tottenham, those Premier League clubs with the financial clout to get involved would be crazy not to.

FIVE THINGS I LEARNED THIS WEEK

1. No surprise City are vulnerable

All teams suffer from injuries and all managers have certain players they dread the prospect of losing. Defensive pillars who hold the structure together are often the most difficult to replace. Liverpool were not the same without Virgil van Dijk. 

Nor Arsenal without William Saliba. Spurs struggle to impose their style without Micky van de Ven. It’s no surprise to find Manchester City without Rodri and Ruben Dias are vulnerable.

It’s no surprise to find that Manchester City without Rodri and Ruben Dias are vulnerable

2. Transfer gurus part of the circus

The whole idea of the director of football role is to provide stability as managers come and go, stitching together the club’s footballing philosophies, recruitment strategy and youth development policy. Now they are part of the circus. 

With agents quick to bill them as the secret power behind any team doing well, they have created their very own carousel. Dan Ashworth can’t sit still for five minutes. Paul Mitchell hops from club to club. Edu has itchy feet.

3. Robins’ Coventry sacking a shame

Coventry’s rise from the depths was masterminded by Mark Robins and his assistant Adi Viveash. They worked well as a pair and the beginning of the end of this era was signposted when Viveash was relieved of his duties in July, a club decision following a post-season review.

And now Robins is gone as well after a disappointing start to this season. The Sky Blues are looking for a head coach, not a manager. They had both. It’s a shame such a wonderful story has reached its end.

4. Tuchel must at least feign interest

We know Thomas Tuchel doesn’t rate international football because he said as much when he was Chelsea manager, but he’s going to have to start feigning interest soon.  

I know he doesn’t start work until January but maybe he can tune in to these England games on TV or call Lee Carsley and ask how it went.

Thomas Tuchel will have to start at least feigning interest in international football soon

5. Jenkinson the fall guy again

Sometimes former Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson seems doomed to play the fall guy. 

Back in English football after two-and-a-half years in Australia, he made his first start for Bromley at Cheltenham on Saturday and was sent off for two yellow cards in the first 24 minutes.