Europe's most-wanted Victor Osimhen should spurn Premier League interest and join PSG this summer

Last season, Osimhen had a fair claim to the admittedly social-media-skewed title of "best striker in Europe not named Erling Haaland". While the Norwegian was romping his way through the Premier League, Osimhen battered Italy. The Nigerian developed a devastating understanding with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, combining with the Georgian winger en route to a season in which he scored 31 goals in all competitions.

But, as with the whole Napoli side that captured a first scudetto in 33 years, there was a sense that his tenure was coming to an end. Manager Luciano Spalletti left the club, while other key pieces departed. "Running it back" never seemed likely. And such has been the case. Napoli have employed three different managers this season, sit in seventh place, and are out of the Champions League. If Osimhen's haul of 11 goals in 17 Serie A appearances - interrupted by an injury layoff - for a side so clearly in decline is considered a disappointment, then there might just be a player here.

Osimhen, albeit briefly, seemed close to an exit last summer. He was linked heavily, at various points, to a glut of teams, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG all vying for his signature. He spurned that interest, electing to stay for one more year. But as he made clear in an interview in late January, he will leave the club at the end of the campaign.

“I have already made my decision on the next step to do at the end of the season. I already made up my mind. I already have my plan, I know what I want to do, the next step I want to take," he told CBS Sports. "I think 60% of the people mention the rumours about me linked with the Premier League. The Premier League is one of the biggest leagues in the world."

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed his intentions shortly after.

"We knew it since last summer, the negotiations for his [Osimhen] renewal have been long and friendly for that reason, we knew perfectly that he will go to Real Madrid, PSG or some Premier League team," he said.

The Nigerian had penned a new contract just a month before, but only did so to insert a release clause that satisfied all parties. Osimhen can now leave the club for around €130m(£113m/$144m) - a figure that almost seems cheap for an elite striker these days.

There appears, on the face of things, to be a problem here. PSG need to replace - or at least fill the positional void left by - Mbappe. In its most apparent form, that would mean signing a player capable of playing either as a traditional winger of inside forward - someone at their best when operating in the left channel.

Osimhen is not that player, and asking him to be would be a massive misuse of his talents. Still, PSG haven't set up in traditional formations this year. Luis Enrique has spent most of the campaign fiddling with his side, switching between a 4-2-2-2, 5-3-2 and more orthodox 4-3-3. And in none of those setups has Mbappe functioned as a natural left-winger. Yes, the France captain tends to gravitate towards the left, but Luis Enrique has preferred to use him in a more central role, with Bradley Barcola functioning as a more orthodox winger. There is no such thing as a pure No.9 in this system - and the Parisians don't necessarily have a pure goalscorer through the middle.

It would all seem to be good news for Osimhen, who figures to function as a central presence, but also a player mobile enough to exploit the channels - and run in behind. An Mbappe replacement he is not. But the Parisians don't necessarily need one.

In recent weeks, Luis Enrique has showed few qualms in publically distancing himself from the soon-to-depart Mbappe. From passive-aggressively wishing his star man the best, to outright benching him for Ligue 1 contests, the Spanish manager has made it clear that he is happy to move the Parisians into a new era. PSG will still need Mbappe when it really matters. But for the bits in between, he is a player on the periphery.

That apparent ruthlessness has historically led to some fractious relationships - just ask Neymar. But those on the manager's good side tend to develop immensely. Luis Enrique brought the best out of Ivan Rakitic at Barca, and developed prime Messi when it seemed he couldn't get any better after thriving under Pep Guardiola. His smart tactics for the Spanish national team helped Pedri and Gavi quickly become two of the game's most promising midfield prospects.

Piece it all together, and this is one of football's best man managers - especially for those who are willing to adjust under him. If Osimhen is coachable, then there might not be a better option.

For all of the potential pros of a Parisian move, there is legitimate interest from elsewhere. Arsenal and Chelsea are supposedly the two Premier League sides ready to battle it out for his signature. The Gunners have reportedly been in for Osimhen for a while, but might not want to shell out the required cash to make it happen. Chelsea, meanwhile, seem to be in with a chance - and could certainly afford him. However, their flirtation with Premier League profit and sustainability violations could make a deal trickier to hash out.

And, perhaps more broadly, there are crucial reasons why neither club would make much sense. Chelsea, for one, lack consistency. Although manager Mauricio Pochettino certainly has them playing football, question marks all over the side would make Stamford Bridge an uneasy place to walk into. The Blues, undoubtedly, need a top-class goalscorer to push back towards Champions League football. But there doesn't seem to be a reliable system to support one.

Arsenal have the opposite problem. Mikel Arteta's Gunners are immaculately drilled, each player's potential maximised within a five-square-yard space on the field. Positional perfection has been achieved. Osimhen, though, is perhaps too unpredictable for that. He needs to be given room to improvise, and opportunity to wander into different areas. Certainly, Osimhen would be an upgrade on the often wayward Gabriel Jesus. But Arteta, the uncompromising standard-setter, might not get the best out of him.

Exactly how badly Osimhen wants the Parisian spotlight remains to be seen. Here is a player who has always balanced his ego - mixing the swagger of a top-tier striker with the humility of a footballer who perhaps knows that he has so much more to give. There have been isolated incidents - with the striker removed from Napoli training back in 2022. But otherwise, Osimhen appears to be a remarkably humble footballer.

Whether that makes him equipped for the Parisian spotlight remains to be seen. The French capital has done strange things to players. Those with immense egos - Mbappe, Neymar and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - have found home in the pressure cooker of the Parc des Princes. But others haven't found it so easy. Even Messi, GOAT status and all, struggled to carve out a niche in a chaotic footballing city.

And that is perhaps the biggest challenge Osimhen will face. If he is indeed to settle in Paris, the striker will need to grasp the attention of being the main man in a turbulent town. It seems to be a perfect fit. Ultimately, though, it comes down to the player himself to be the razor sharp edge as this evil empire assembles a more incisive side.