Osimhen Over Isak: Liverpool’s £120M Mistake?

 

With the summer transfer window heating up, Liverpool have made headlines once again, this time for their reported pursuit of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak in a deal that could be worth £120 million. While the Swedish striker has undoubtedly impressed in the Premier League, fans and pundits are raising a critical question: Why not spend that same amount on Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen instead?

Both strikers are 25 years old. Both are elite. But when it comes to value for money, experience, and goal-scoring pedigree, many believe Osimhen is the better deal, and Liverpool might be making a costly mistake if they look the other way.

 Isak: A Rising Star with a Rising Price

Alexander Isak has been one of the brightest talents in English football since joining Newcastle from Real Sociedad. He’s quick, technical, intelligent in his movement, and he fits the profile of a modern forward.

In the 2023/24 season, Isak scored 21 Premier League goals in 30 matches, an excellent return for a forward still entering his prime. Liverpool’s reported £120 million bid shows just how much they rate him.

But there's a catch: Newcastle are reportedly holding out for £150 million, and he still has a contract running till 2028. For a club like Liverpool, known for being strategic with spending, this is a big gamble, especially when a world-class alternative is sitting in plain sight.

Osimhen: Proven, Powerful, and Premier League-Ready

Victor Osimhen is not just a top striker, he’s one of the best in the world right now. The Nigerian international fired Napoli to their first Serie A title in over three decades, winning the Capocannoniere (Serie A top scorer) in 2022/23 with 26 goals.

He’s:

Physically dominant

Fearless in the air

Lethal in front of goal

Excellent in link-up play

Mentally tough and hungry for success

Even more interesting? Napoli reportedly reduced his release clause to just €75 million (approx. £63 million) for foreign clubs. That means Liverpool could technically sign Osimhen for almost half the cost of what they’d pay for Isak, and use the remaining funds to cover his salary for four to five years.

Cost Breakdown: Osimhen vs Isak

Category   Alexander Isak Victor Osimhen

Transfer Fee £120 – £150 M €75 M

Age                          25                            25

Top League Goals 21 (23/24) 26 (22/23)

Wages                  £150k/week           £180k/week

Contract Length    Until 2028            Negotiable

Even including Osimhen’s reported €10 million per year salary, the total package over five years would barely exceed what Liverpool would spend just on Isak’s transfer fee.

Experience and Big-Game Mentality

Osimhen has played and scored in:

Champions League knockout games

Top-flight leagues in France and Italy

High-stakes African Cup of Nations qualifiers

Napoli’s historic title-winning run

Isak is talented, no doubt. But he’s yet to experience that kind of consistent top-level pressure or lift a major trophy.

In terms of pure big-game readiness, Osimhen stands tall, and that’s exactly what Liverpool need if they want to return to the top of Europe.

The Real Question for Liverpool

So, why aren’t Liverpool going for Osimhen?

Some argue it’s about wages. Others say it’s about style of play. But if the goal is to win trophies, Osimhen offers more certainty and immediate impact. Liverpool already took one gamble when they bought Darwin Núñez, and while he’s improving, consistency is still an issue.

Spending another £120M+ on a player who still has to “grow into” the role could be risky. In contrast, Osimhen is ready now.

If Liverpool are spending £120 million anyway, then Victor Osimhen is the better buy, by miles. He’s more experienced, more dominant, and more proven at the highest level. The fact that he’s potentially cheaper than Isak makes this a no-brainer for many fans and analysts.

Whether the club agrees or not remains to be seen  but if they pass on Osimhen and Isak doesn't deliver, the “£120M mistake” headlines will write themselves.