Juventus are reportedly weighing up moves for two strikers that are of interest to Manchester United – Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres.
Signing a top-class striker is a priority for Ruben Amorim heading into the summer transfer window after another extremely difficult season for Rasmus Hojlund.
Hojlund ended the season with only four Premier League goals – a disappointing tally for a striker spearheading United’s attack. But it’s not just his numbers. He’s also struggled with the fundamentals of being a striker, such as holding up the ball and linking up play.
There are suggestions that the Dane could be set for a move away from Old Trafford amid interest from Italy. Should he depart, a replacement will be essential. Even if he remains, United still require a more dependable option up front.
Potential replacements for Hojlund don’t come much better than Gyokeres and Osimhen. Gyokeres has scored a mind-boggling 54 goals in 52 matches across all appearances for Sporting CP this season, while Osimhen has netted 36 times in 40 appearances for loan side Galatasaray.
Both talismans are set to be available on the market. Gyokeres is looking for the next big step in his career. Osimhen on the other hand, has no future at parent club Napoli after he tried to engineer an exit last summer.
However, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, United face stiff competition from Juventus for both Gyokeres and Osimhen.
It’s understood Juventus, boosted by the revenue gained from qualifying for the Champions League, are eager to bring in a world-class striker to replace the outgoing Dusan Vlahovic.
Vlahovic will not renew his contract, which expires in 2026, and Juventus are prepared to offload him this summer.
Gazzetta dello Sport state that Osimhen has been Juventus’ top choice but Gyokeres is “rising in position and popularity” on their transfer list.
The Old Lady are well aware that English clubs like United, as well as teams from the Saudi Pro League, are keeping tabs on the two players.
Juventus have “begun to take first steps” to lure Gyokeres to Turin.
Meanwhile, the Serie A giants held talks with Osimhen in January and the relationship between the two parties remains cordial.
When it comes to Osimhen, the problem for Juventus is that his €75m release clause is only valid for foreign clubs and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis will do them no favours in terms of a cut-price deal.
This is a factor that could play to United’s advantage if they choose to press ahead with their pursuit of Osimhen.
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!
