Manchester United reportedly held talks with the agents of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen earlier on Monday regarding a summer move.
United are expected to dip into the market for reinforcements in the attacking department. The striker position is especially in need of urgent strengthening. Rasmus Hojlund has endured another difficult season at Old Trafford and has proven he cannot be relied upon to lead the line for the club.
Meanwhile, Joshua Zirkzee, who is currently sidelined for the remainder of the campaign with a hamstring injury, has shown greater promise in an attacking midfield position and his long-term future may lie in that role.
It’s crystal clear that Ruben Amorim needs more firepower if he is to succeed in turning the Red Devils into a competitive outfit once again.
United continue to be linked to a host of goalscorers including Liam Delap (Ipswich Town), Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig) and of course, Osimhen.
Strikers of Osimhen’s ability and reputation are seldom available on the market, but the Nigerian star is expected to be up for transfer this month once his loan spell at Galatasaray concludes.
A return to parent club Napoli is not an option after his unsuccessful attempt to engineer an exit last summer. Napoli are keen on permanently offloading him and they are believed to want €75m to sanction his exit.
Despite the uncertainty over his future, Osimhen has enjoyed a prolific season at Galatasaray, notching an impressive 33 goals and 8 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions.
Last month, David Ornstein of The Athletic explained that the 26-year-old is not on the agenda at Old Trafford but this has done little to quell rumours linking him to United.
Now, Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna has claimed that a first meeting took place between United and Osimhen’s camp on Monday.
🚨🔴🇳🇬🏴🇸🇪 #PL |
❗️First meeting took place TODAY between Victor Osimhen’s entourage and MU. The striker want €12m by year
➡️ Main priority is Viktor Gyökeres but the deal is not easy
✨️ Delap and another european striker on the short list
W @sebnonda… pic.twitter.com/FdRdv6UDQy
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) May 5, 2025
According to Foot Mercato, “For his part, the 26-year-old is tempted by the Premier League. In truth, it’s the only league capable of supporting the player’s incredible salary of €12 million per year.”
“While Victor Gyokeres appears to be United’s priority, especially in the event of Champions League qualification. Liam Delap is being monitored, but it is Victor Osimhen who remains a solid alternative. The former Napoli star is also very interested in the idea of playing at Old Trafford.”
“Proof of the Europa League semi-finalist’s concrete interest in the current Super Lig top scorer is the meeting that took place in recent hours between the Nigerian striker’s entourage and Manchester United.”
In terms of salary, Fabrizio Romano himself confirmed that Osimhen is willing to accept just under £200,000-per-week. Such a sum for a player of his quality is not unreasonable. The ball is United’s court.
Featured image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
