Liverpool are reportedly weighing up a sensational three-way swap deal that could see Victor Osimhen arrive at Anfield this summer — with Darwin Núñez and Federico Chiesa potentially playing key roles in the complex transaction.
After a whirlwind start to the summer transfer window, Liverpool have already spent nearly £200 million to sign Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and goalkeeper Armin Pecsi. But one crucial void remains: the number 9 position — where Darwin Núñez has failed to deliver consistent performances.
With Alexander Isak unlikely to leave Newcastle and Viktor Gyökeres preferring a move to Arsenal, Liverpool have turned their attention to Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, one of Europe’s most prolific strikers. Negotiations to swap Núñez for Osimhen have stalled due to valuation gaps, but this impasse has opened the door to a more innovative, three-club solution.
According to the Evening Standard, Liverpool are exploring a deal involving Darwin Núñez and Federico Chiesa in a multi-layered move to secure Osimhen. Under the proposed structure, Chiesa would be part of the equation to balance the overall valuation. Combined, Núñez and Chiesa are valued at around £60 million, close to Osimhen’s release clause. However, Napoli are demanding an additional £17 million in cash, proving they won’t let their star man go easily.
Rather than a simple player-swap, the deal would consist of three separate transfers — allowing each club to comply with UEFA and Premier League financial regulations. It’s not just a personnel shake-up but a financially calculated chess move, showcasing the strategic depth of Liverpool’s transfer operations under Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes.
From a tactical standpoint, Osimhen represents a clear upgrade. Despite Liverpool’s goal-scoring output last season, their number 9 role remains uncertain. With Mohamed Salah aging (now 33) and Darwin Núñez’s inconsistencies persisting, Osimhen — at 26 — offers both firepower and long-term stability. He netted 26 goals for Napoli in their title-winning 2022/23 campaign and followed up with another 26 goals on loan at Galatasaray last season, proving his adaptability and elite scoring instinct.
Liverpool now face a crucial decision: pay the extra £17 million to secure a world-class striker in his prime, or continue relying on a misfiring Núñez and an injury-prone Chiesa? Given Osimhen’s pedigree and age, the answer seems clear.
If Liverpool manage to pull off this audacious triple-deal, it could be the final piece in Arne Slot’s masterplan to build a dominant post-Klopp Liverpool — one centered around speed, power, and efficiency in attack. ⚽🔥