There’s nothing like a drawn-out saga to really take the shine off an exciting transfer.
Manchester United know this all too well, with past fruitless pursuits of the likes of Frenkie de Jong still fresh in the memory.
Not to mention the current standoff with Brentford over star forward Bryan Mbeumo, for whom the Red Devils first enquired over a month ago.
The Old Trafford club now find themselves on the periphery of another club’s drama, which dangles the tantalising opportunity to spring for a world class target.
United’s striker wishlist
United went into the transfer window with a striker seemingly their top priority after a lack of goals contributed to Ruben Amorim’s side crashing to a 15th-place Premier League finish.
The club were linked with a host of names across Europe, but as the summer progressed it became increasingly apparent that genuine interest was only held in some of these.
Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap was certainly one United actively tried to sign, but the youngster opted for Chelsea instead.
Meanwhile Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, who is on the brink of joining Arsenal, was never subject to a United bid.
The other top-bracket name who fans have willed the club to pursue, but who they have never seemed keen on, is Victor Osimhen.
Galatasaray drama
Despite reported interest from Premier League sides, the Napoli striker now looks destined to rejoin Turkish giants Galatasaray, who had him on loan last season.
But despite making multiple bids for the player the Süper Lig champions can’t quite get a transfer over the line, with Napoli repeatedly quibbling over the structure of the deal.
And this keeps the door ajar for United to swoop in and make a decisive bid which would turn the transfer window on its head.
Latest developments
Fabrizio Romano reported last night that Galatasaray’s latest approach was rebuffed, and for the first time introduced a note of uncertainty into what happens next.
The journalist explained that talks will continue “if conditions change again”, but patience is doubtless wearing thin from the Turkish side whose determination to get their man is really being put to the test.
Their bid of €75m seems to be the right amount for the Serie A champions, who are happy with the proposed initial payment of €40m. But they are demanding the remaining €35m be paid by 2026 whereas Gala want to pay it by 2027. Napoli are also looking to include a sell-on clause in the agreement, something which the Turkish side do not want to do.
That in itself could be significant for United should they miss out on Osimhen this summer and fancy going for him again in the future, but at 26 years old the player is in his prime and the club should make their move now.
🚨🟡🔴 Galatasaray reject Napoli new conditions for Victor Osimhen deal, talks will continue… if conditions change again.
Napoli asked for €40m now plus €35m to be paid by 2026 plus sell-on clause.
Galatasaray want to pay €35m by 2027 and refuse to include sell-on clause. pic.twitter.com/Ru38m3bxTH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 14, 2025
It is thought that the reason for the Red Devils’ reluctance to move for the world class striker is down to his refusal to reduce his wages to facilitate an Old Trafford switch.
United still have options for a new centre-forward, with the likes of Moise Kean and Ollie Watkins available, but must act soon to avoid being left behind.
Featured image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
