Manchester United’s hopes of signing Victor Osimhen are growing as their rivals in the red-hot race for the 26-year-old striker are unable to close a deal for varying reasons, according to reports.
A New Number Nine
A new number nine is considered an urgent priority at Old Trafford this summer.
United endured their worst season in the Premier League era while breaking multiple (unwanted) records in terms of league position points, losses, and goals scored.
Ruben Amorim has identified the misfiring forward line – United only scored 44 goals last year – as the principal weakness in his team.
A £62.5 million deal has already been agreed for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ forward Matheus Cunha while United are locked in negotiations with Brentford over a similarly priced move for Bryan Mbeumo.
But these are targets for the two number ten positions in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system; the Portuguese coach still needs a new frontman to lead the line at Old Trafford.
United made significant advances to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town but were rejected by the 22-year-old striker in favour of a switch to Stamford Bridge.
Similarly, the Reds have made enquiries to reunite Amorim with Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres but the Sweden international appears to be prioritising a move to Arsenal (and the Champions League by extension).
This has led United to pivot towards Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, who has enjoyed a breakout season in Germany with 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. But Frankfurt are reported to be holding out for £85 million to sanction their star striker’s departure – a fee far outside what United are likely to be able to afford.
Which brings us to Osimhen.
The Case of Osimhen
The Nigeria international has just enjoyed a brilliant campaign on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, propelling the Turkish giant to a league and cup double, while scoring 37 goals with eight assists in just 41 games.
But Osimhen is set to return to Naples this summer where his contract contains worth around €75 million (£64m).
This presents an affordable price for a proven goal-scorer in multiple leagues (France, Italy, and Turkey) who offers the profile of striker Amorim’s system demands. But Osimhen’s wage demands have always been viewed as a major obstacle by Old Trafford officials.
There was also significant interest in Osimhen from Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal identifying him as a top target this summer and making repeated offers to bring him to the Middle East.
But Osimhen rejected these eye-watering contract proposals, suggesting his intention is to remain in Europe and potentially reopening the door for United.
Arsenal and Chelsea have previously expressed interest but both clubs are targeting other strikers this summer, as explained above. Juventus are keen admirers of the Osimhen but the €75 million release clause is only applicable to clubs outside of Italy in a bid to protect Napoli from strengthening a domestic rival.
Galatasaray are keen for Osimhen to remain in Istanbul permanently but, according to The Athletic, the Super Lig club “anticipate the desired transfer fee might be too high” and may need Napoli to compromise on their demand.
“[Osimhen’s] significant wage demands are not considered a problem for the Turkish club,” the report reveals.
This creates an inverse position where Galatasaray can afford Osimhen’s wages but not match his release clause, while United can match the release clause but not afford his wages.
With the summer window still in its infancy, Napoli will be in no rush to lower their asking price for Osimhen. This creates a window of opportunity for United to strike ahead of their rivals as Osimhen evidently still retains hopes of a move to major European side.
And with the number of options up front on the market rapidly dwindling, INEOS may need to be willing to compromise on salary to secure a striker who guarantees goals and possesses the confidence to lead the line in a Red shirt.
Featured image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
