Napoli's Victor Osimhen celebrates scoring their second goal
Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has provided an update on Manchester United transfer target Victor Osimhen.
The Lowdown: United interest
The Red Devils have made a new striker and midfielder their transfer priority this summer, with Osimhen thought to be a player of interest.
The Napoli striker is reportedly at the top of United’s striker shortlist, ahead of Tottenham’s Harry Kane, AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham and soon-to-be RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
The Nigerian international has scored 21 goals and provided five assists in 27 appearances this season and is under contract with the Serie A side until 2025.
The Latest: Transfer news
Plettenberg took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to share an update he’s ‘been told’ about Osimhen’s future. The Sky Sports reporter said that United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are ‘all in’, with ‘different talks’ taking place.
He added that Bayern Munich aren’t in the race for the forward, with his €100m (£88m) valuation ‘not feasible’ for them.
The Verdict: Fingers crossed
Osimhen has been called a ‘monster’ by members of the press and has also come in for praise from legendary striker David Trezeguet, who described the forward as ‘unique’:
“He’s a unique player, a prototype of the new player, fast, and he moves a lot. I think he has become a striker with an important profile. He knows how to move and manage himself in the match.”
Therefore, a big-money move to Old Trafford could be a brilliant piece of business from Red Devils chiefs, where Osimhen could become one of the club’s most expensive signings of all time with Napoli seemingly wanting €100m (£88m) to part ways with the player.
The 24-year-old appears to be entering the prime years of his career with a career-high €70m Transfermarkt valuation, so may continue his free-scoring form at his next club. United will be hoping that is with them, however, they look set to face plenty of competition for his services, including from Premier League rivals, so negotiations could prove tricky over the coming months.
Erik ten Hag’s need for a marquee striker could be something that appeals to Osimhen, though, knowing he would be the main centre-forward at the club with Anthony Martial’s future in doubt and Wout Weghorst’s stay only temporary until the end of the season.
As a result, he could form a formidable front four alongside left-winger Marcus Rashford, attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes and one of Jadon Sancho, Antony or Alejandro Garncaho on the right-hand side.
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