Ruben Amorim’s biggest concern at the moment must be Manchester United’s lack of goals with the Red Devils failing to score in their last three Premier League games.
The Red Devils have lost six in 11 in all competitions since the Portuguese took charge with the strikers hardly threatening the opposition.
Rasmus Hojlund does not look ready to lead the line while summer signing Joshua Zirkzee seems to be heading out the exit door with Juventus poised to pounce.
The biggest disappointment has been Marcus Rashford, who has failed to make an appearance in the last five games and has publicly declared his intention to leave.
United need reinforcements upfront
United, who are languishing in 14th position, have scored fewer goals than 19th-placed Leicester City, who are the favourites to go down and the Portuguese head coach is desperate for attacking reinforcements in January.
Viktor Gyokeres would have been the ideal incoming but Amorim had promised his former employers that he would not sign anyone from Sporting Lisbon in the winter and he is intent on keeping his word.
Due to PSR concerns, INEOS are not in a position to go all gung-ho in the market and as relayed by The Peoples Person, there has been growing talk of a swap deal involving Rashford heading to Napoli in exchange for Victor Osimhen.
Now, as revealed by Nigerian outlet Business Day, Osimhen’s camp is desperate to leave loan outfit Galatasaray and switch to Old Trafford and Napoli are looking to earn as much as €75 million from the transfer.
The Nigerian is currently on loan at Gala, where he has 13 goals and five assists from 14 starts with the Turkish giants keen to hold on to the 26-year-old.
However, with Osimhen willing to jump ship, they have little power to stop this move from happening with Napoli willing to pay €10 million as compensation for breaking the terms of the loan agreement early.
“Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray on a loan deal in September, 2024, could see his situation reassessed in January. Reports suggest Galatasaray could receive around €10 million as compensation if the loan agreement is terminated early.
Gala to earn compensation, Osimhen keen to join United
“Sources indicate that Osimhen is determined to join Manchester United, with preliminary moves already underway to finalise the deal.
“Napoli is believed to have inserted a €90 million release clause in Osimhen’s contract, with €10 million of that earmarked for Galatasaray. However, there are rumors that the clause could drop to €75 million to facilitate the transfer.”
The report does not make clear how United will cough up the requisite funds without player sales. The Red Devils will need to move on Rashford and Zirkzee or Casemiro for this deal to materialise.
Or else a swap deal might be the way to go. Unless this is yet another loan arrangement with an option to buy. A clearer picture is set to emerge in the coming days.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
