Newcastle United are renewing their attempts to sign Napoli star Victor Osimhen, and would have to stump up a record-breaking fee to sign him...

What's the story?

Reports back in the January transfer window from Calciomercato (via Sport Witness) initially claimed that Eddie Howe's side have got "concrete" interest in signing the Nigeria international, and that if a sizeable offer does come in for him, then Napoli owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis, would be willing to come to the table.

Now, some further reports from Italy (via Sport Witness) have delivered an update on the situation.

They suggest that the Magpies are at the front of the queue to sign the star striker, and that they are ready to go crazy with their offer - it's added that with Napoli having spent a mammoth €80m to get him in from Lille in the first place, they would want a significant return on that.

Fans would be excited

In the form of Osimhen, Howe would be getting an elite goal-scorer who has proven himself at the highest level with Napoli, both in the Serie A and in European competition too.

This campaign has seen him score 11 goals in just22 games for the Italian giants, including bagging four in just three Europa League group stage games - a couple of those coming away from home against Leicester to rescue a point for his team.

And, as per Whoscored, Osimhen also appears to be a far more complete striker than what Newcastle already have in Callum Wilson, averaging far more shots, key passes and dribbles per game this campaign, while his average match rating comfortably trumps that of the former Bournemouth star.

Even during his time with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, the Nigerian made an immediate impression on his coaches, with then manager Andries Jonker saying: "He has great potential in him. He is ambitious, quick and highly unpredictable, he will be a star in the future if he maintains his focus."

But perhaps the biggest indication of why Osimhen may be the perfect signing for Newcastle is the way his former Nigeria teammate Odion Ighalo has raved about his mentality.

He said: "He’s the future, he’s going to do so well in football. I love him, he’s down to earth, he’s hard working, he has a future and he has the mentality of a winner, that’s what I love about him. He has that lion’s heart. I love him, I just want him to keep working hard the way he’s doing, he’s going to break so many records in Europe and Nigeria."

The £54m-rated star would be a very exciting signing for the Magpies, and one that would surely get the pulses racing of the Toon Army.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have an exciting academy star on their hands...