Manchester United’s need for a ruthless goalscorer is pretty apparent once you look at Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee’s stats this season.
While the Dane has only eight goals, the Dutchman has six. The ex-Atalanta starlet only recently ended his 99-day goalless drought in the Premier League while the summer signing is much more comfortable playing as an attacking midfielder than up top.
Which is why Ruben Amorim has prioritised the addition of a striker once the transfer window opens. A reunion with Viktor Gyokeres was what he was hoping for but the Swede is intent on playing Champions League football, something that might not be on offer at Old Trafford next term.
As a result, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, has been elevated to the top spot with the Nigerian setting the Turkish league on fire.
Osimhen fits United’s demands
The 26-year-old has 26 goals and five assists and Napoli are likely to move him on once the season concludes. Gala would love to keep a hold of him but they would struggle to match the Italian side’s asking price while also paying the striker’s humongous wages.
Even the Red Devils would find it hard to satisfy the Serie A giants which is why plenty of swap deal rumours involving Hojlund heading to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium have been mooted.
But The Athletic‘s reliable journalist Laurie Whitwell had an interesting take on the situation. He revealed on the Inside United podcast (via Givemesport) that Alejandro Garnacho could be the United player to make way.
The Argentine was a January target for the Naples-based outfit but they refused to pay over €55 million for the 20-year-old with United valuing him close to €70 million.
Swap deal involving Garnacho?
Antonio Conte still needs a replacement for Kvicha Kvaratshkhelia and the Carrington graduate could be used as part of a swap deal to land Osimhen.
“In terms of what they want from a striker, I think Osimhen would fit that bill. So I wonder what happens there. The only thing is, Napoli, how much would they want for him?
And would some kind of transfer swap make some kind of sense? Obviously, they’ve been interested in Alejandro Garnacho already. I wouldn’t rule out something like that potentially happening.”
Garnacho also ended his goalscoring drought against Leicester City recently but his finishing has let him down recently. Not to mention attitude issues.
So would Amorim be open to letting the wonderkid leave? He had fought with INEOS to keep him at the club during the winter window. A lot can change from now until the end of the season. An interesting saga worth keeping an eye on.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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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
