Gary Lineker claims player Chelsea sold is better than transfer target Victor Osimhen

Gary Lineker has rejected the suggestion Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is superior to ex-Chelsea forward Mohamed Salah.

Both Osimhen and Salah are currently competing at the Africa Cup of Nations and are under huge pressure to deliver for their respective nations at the tournament.

Nigeria have not won the competition since 2013 while Egypt's last triumph was way back in 2010. For either country to stand a chance of prevailing as champions during the latest edition, they will require their talismanic figure to be on top scoring form.

Osimhen has found the back of the net eight times in 18 matches this season and struck 31 goals in 39 appearances last term to fire Napoli to Serie A glory. Salah, meanwhile, has scored 18 goals in 27 games in 2023/24 and continues to be Liverpool's most clinical finisher.

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The two players are the standout stars at this year's AFCON, though Lineker has no doubt in his mind over who is the stronger player. Responding to an X post by the Athletic, which labelled Osimhen as the «the continent's [Africa] best player», he said: «Great though he is, I fear you have forgotten a certain @MoSalah.»

Salah was of course once on the books of Chelsea after joining from FC Basel in 2014, though was sold by the Blues to AS Roma in 2016. The 31-year-old has gone to establish himself as one of the greatest players in world football, having taken his game to the next level at Anfield.

Osimhen continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League, with Mauricio Pochettino's side heavily backed to make a move and the forward recently