Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone believes Super Eagles and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is worth more than €100m.
Osimhen has attracted interest from some of Europe’s heavyweights, following his impressive performance this season for newly crowned Serie A champions Napoli.
The Serie A top scorer, who has 23 goals in 28 league appearances, is valued at €150m.
On several occasions, Napoli president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, has insisted Osimhen is not for sale but that has not stopped continuous reports linking the striker with a move away from the club in the summer.
In an exclusive interview with Italian sports publication, Gazzetta dello Sport, Simeone suggested that a fee in the region of over €100m must be paid for Osimhen.
“The Nigerian is incredibly strong,” Simeone said
“There are few players with his characteristics out there, and I believe he could be worth over a hundred million. I’m not saying that he should be sold, but I’m just repeating the kind of reasoning I make for my Atletico.
“If a financially powerful club comes along and offers double the salary, you have to bleed yourself dry and mess up your accounts just to keep a player. It’s better to make a change. And who is better (at that) than Napoli?
“They let go of important players, and look at what players like Kvaratskhelia and Kim have achieved.”
On Sunday Osimhen overtook George Weah to become the highest scoring African in Serie A history after netting Napoli’s only goal in their 1-0 win over Fiorentina at the Diego Maradona stadium which took his tally in three seasons to 47 goals.
He had broken Samuel Eto’o’s goal record by an African in Serie A, when he netted his 22nd strike in the 1-1 draw against Udinese which clinched the league title.
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Osi-goal is our son whom God had Blessed. We hail thee. All Nigerians, indeed, Africans bow before your feet. We are extremely proud that you were born in Lagos by Edo Parents. Thank you, Lord.