Bayern Munich have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
The 24-year-old has played a starring role in the Parthenopeans' title charge this season, scoring 22 goals in 27 league appearances as well as scoring five goals in six Champions League outings.
Osimhen's 22nd Serie A strike in the 1-1 draw at Udinese on Thursday helped Napoli clinch the club's first top-flight title in 33 years and has seen him surpass Samuel Eto'o (21) to become the highest-scoring African player in a single Serie A season.
The Nigerian's impressive form in front of goal has understandably caught the eye of a number of top European clubs ahead of the summer transfer window, with Bayern Munich believed to have been one of those closely monitoring his progress.
The Bavarian giants are expected to prioritise the addition of a new centre-forward ahead of the 2023-24 season as they are yet to have replaced Barcelona-bound Robert Lewandowski.
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Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has admirably filled in as Bayern's first-choice striker this season, scoring 17 goals in 29 games across all tournaments, but the 34-year-old is now approaching the twilight years of his career.
Bayern have been tipped to move for Osimhen this summer, but Bild reports that they have decided against pursuing the striker as they are unwilling to fork out a record fee.
Osimhen is under contract at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium until June 2025 and Napoli are understood to value their No.9 in excess of £100m.
Bayern's decision to pull out of the race for Osimhen's signature will provide a boost for Premier League duo Manchester United and Chelsea, as well as Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain who have all been credited with an interest.
A recent report claims that both Man United and Chelsea are leading the race to recruit Osimhen this summer, with the former said to have sent scouts to watch the striker throughout this season.
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Erik ten Hag is looking to sign a new centre-forward, with Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst expected to depart Old Trafford and return to his parent club at the end of the season.
It remains to be seen whether the Red Devils will step up their interest in Osimhen, though, as they are also said to have identified Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani as possible targets.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are expected to delve back into the transfer market this summer despite spending in excess of £600m on new players over the previous two transfer windows.
The Blues are set to offload a number of fringe players to generate funds and will likely prioritise signing a new striker having struggled to find the net this season, scoring just 31 goals in 33 Premier League games to date.
PSG are another club believed to be in the market for attacking reinforcements, with seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi set to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Oliver Thomas
