Manchester United are making serious moves to sign world-class striker Victor Osimhen, a new report claims.
United are desperate for a proven goalscorer as Rasmus Hojlund is still learning on the job and Joshua Zirkzee is arguably a bad fit for head coach Ruben Amorim’s system.
Osimhen was untouchable a couple of years ago, with a transfer fee of up to €150 million being reported.
However, chaos between his club owners at Napoli and his agent left him in the wilderness and he has ended up playing on loan at Galatasaray in Turkey as his contract runs toward expiry in June 2026.
It is inevitable that president Aurelio de Laurentiis will cash in, if not in January then over the summer.
According to Caughtoffside, “Sources with a close understanding of Osimhen’s situation have informed [us] that the Nigeria international is emerging as a top target for Man Utd due to the doubts over Marcus Rashford’s future, and after the lack of impact made by Joshua Zirkzee since moving to Old Trafford in the summer.
“Osimhen’s entourage also anticipate interest from Juventus as they look for a replacement for Dusan Vlahovic, who is yet to agree a new contract with the Serie A giants, and there’s the growing sense that Juve could be the striker’s preferred destination.
The outlet also says Chelsea are interested in Osimhen and that the Nigerian “would likely view them as a far more tempting project than United right now”.
They also point out that Juve are keen on Zirkzee, so if that deal were to be completed it would take the Turin club out of the race for Osimhen and free up space in the United squad for him at the same time.
Rashford’s departure would certainly open up finances for a big move, not only because of the transfer fee he could command but also by getting his £325,000 per week wages off the books.
Meanwhile, Osimhen is enjoying life in Turkey and has scored ten goals and provided five assists in his 13 games so far this season, averaging more than one goal involvement per game.
He is still valued at €75 million by transfermarkt.com but given the circumstances, Napoli could be forced to sell for much less, making this a situation that United cannot afford not to explore.
Feature image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
