Exclusive: Liverpool Were 24 Hours Away from Signing £60m Forward in January | OneFootball

Victor Osimhen to Liverpool? The Deal That Almost Was – And Might Still Be

In a world of transfer rumours where smoke rarely leads to fire, the latest revelation about Victor Osimhen and Liverpool feels different – not least because it comes with names, numbers, and nearly-signed contracts. As revealed by Dave Davis on the Anfield Index podcast, Osimhen  “was 24 hours from being a Liverpool player” in January.

And yet, here we are in April, with Osimhen currently on loan at Galatasaray, Darwin Núñez still in red, and a lingering feeling that something big nearly happened.

So, what went wrong? And more crucially, why might it still happen?

Loyalty Payments, Not Wages, Scuppered the Deal

One of the standout moments from the podcast is Davis’ clarity on why the deal collapsed. “The only thing that stopped it was the fact that he couldn’t sort out the loyalty payments that Napoli owed him.” It’s a rare case where the obstacle wasn’t wage demands, agents, or club refusal — but internal financial wrangling within Napoli. That makes this a classic “nearly” scenario, but one that could be revived.

Contrary to widespread assumptions, Osimhen’s wage demands weren’t the issue either. Davis is clear: “There was a lot of talk over his wages being £500,000-per-week but it wasn’t that. It was well within our wage structure.” That’s a significant revelation when evaluating Liverpool’s transfer strategy under Arne Slot, who’s known to prefer pragmatism and balance over superstar indulgence.

Photo: IMAGO

Darwin Núñez Was Ready to Leave

Perhaps the most eye-opening detail, though, was about Darwin Núñez. According to Davis: “Darwin Nunez missed the PSV game in the Champions League because he was finalising a deal with Saudi because Osimhen was coming in.”

That statement alone deserves pause. Al-Nassr were reportedly ready to pay £70 million for Núñez, who wasn’t missing the game due to illness, but because “he was supposed to leave.” It paints a radically different picture of Liverpool’s January strategy: a bold, aggressive move to refresh the front line in a manner few could have anticipated.

This wasn’t just a rumoured flirtation with Osimhen – it was a near-deal, so close to completion that Liverpool’s squad planning had already started to pivot.

Photo: IMAGO

Why a Summer Move Still Makes Sense

With the summer window approaching, Davis’ words carry weight: “So, if he was 24 hours away from becoming a Liverpool player in January, then how can we rule it out this summer?”

Osimhen’s situation has only grown more precarious. With a year left on his Napoli contract and both parties seemingly eager to part ways, the price could be significantly lower. Davis makes the point compellingly: “If Alexander Isak is going to cost £120million, then would you not rather look at someone like Osimhen for around £60million?”

Osimhen is a known quantity. A proven, elite striker with the physicality and movement that Slot’s high-tempo style thrives on. While questions remain over Darwin’s consistency, Osimhen’s goal record speaks for itself. He may not be Arne Slot’s first signing at Liverpool, but he could be the one who defines his first full season.

Photo: IMAGO

Verdict: Don’t Rule It Out

As Davis himself said: “All of this stuff comes out eventually. I wouldn’t be saying it if I hadn’t verified it multiple times.” That kind of journalistic conviction adds weight to what might otherwise be dismissed as off-season chatter.

With Liverpool potentially entering a new era under Arne Slot, a striker like Osimhen would send a powerful message: that this club, despite Klopp’s departure, is still aiming for the very top.

And if we were only 24 hours away in January? The clock may start ticking again soon.