Manchester United are eyeing up Napoli striker Victor Osimhen ahead of the summer transfer window following his impressive 2022/23 campaign to date.
What’s the latest?
The Red Devils have been left scrambling for options at striker this season following the debacle with Cristiano Ronaldo in the early stages of the campaign.
This saw United bring in the Dutch striker Wout Weghorst over the January transfer window on a short-term loan deal until the end of the season.
However, it seems that United will be looking to bring in a longer-term option in the summer with the Nigerian striker believed to be one of the options.
Indeed, speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has suggested Erik ten Hag is a big fan of the 24-year-old but will face competition from other European powerhouses:
“The player is in the list of many clubs. For sure, Manchester United appreciates the player. As I mentioned, he was on the list last summer. Erik ten Hag is understood to be a big fan of Osimhen’s skills.”
Long-term option
It does feel as if United have needed a focal point up top for a number of years now with the likes of Ronaldo only offering the club short-term stints in the side.
And with Ten Hag at the helm, it does seem United have the correct type of manager at the helm to bring in a striker who could play his football at Old Trafford for years to come.
There have been links to Harry Kane and the England captain could certainly provide them with a consistent output of goals in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur’s all-time record goalscorer has proven to be one of the best strikers the league has ever seen and could, therefore, prove to be a sensible option for United this summer.
However, Kane will be 30 years old during the summer transfer window and perhaps this will raise some concerns that he may not provide the Red Devils the long-term option they may be looking for.
Whereas, with Osimhen – who’s been hailed as a “machine”, the 24-year-old is providing Napoli with a stunning return in Serie A with 16 goals to his name this season in 17 appearances.
This comes on the back of the Nigerian netting 14 goals last season in Serie A, showing a steady progression in the striker’s development.
Of course, Osimhen will prove to be a bigger gamble over Kane for United given he has never played in the Premier League before.
But you do have to question how many more years Kane has at the top level. Although he may still have a few more at his peak, Osimhen could certainly offer United a real focal point for years to come.
