Victor Osimhen now on Man Utd radar as unlikely price emerges for Napoli star

Reports in Italy claim Manchester United are now the frontrunners to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen during the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old has been the subject of much attention in recent times due to his goalscoring prowess in Serie A. The Nigeria international bagged 10 Italian top-flight goals from 16 starts in 2020-2021. He has found the net on 13 occasions from 22 starts and 25 appearances this term.

And in all competitions, the African has notched 27 times from 60 outings with I Partenopei. Unsurprisingly, a number of clubs have been taking note, with Newcastle United and Arsenal both linked.

It has been claimed the Magpies offered in excess of €100m for the hitman during the January transfer window. However, there is nothing to substantiate those rumours, with United now said to be keen.

Corriere dello Sport are reporting that the Red Devils have made contact with Napoli over the player. They are keen to learn his price tag and have been told that any suitor must fork out €110 for the man with 20 Nigeria caps.

However, the same report states that the fee is negotiable, with United unlikely to pay that much for the star.

Napoli hold aces in Osimhen deal

Osimhen has been a consistent goalscorer over the past few seasons. Having started his professional career with German club Wolfsburg, the Lagos-born ace moved on loan to Belgian club Charleroi in August 2018.

And it was while he was with Les Zebres that he began to show his true colours. The rangy forward scored 20 goals from 36 outings in all competitions.

That return alerted Lille who paid £20m to bring him to Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Osimhen stayed with the Ligue 1 club for just one season but made his mark, scoring 18 times from 38 outings in all competitions.

Many clubs were linked at the time but it was Napoli who got their man, paying around £67m for the hitman – a club record. He has lived up to the expectation while also dealing with a cheekbone fracture in 2021-2022.

It seems inevitable that the young talent will be on the move but Napoli do not have to rush. He is under contract until the summer of 2025 and so they can bide their time to garner the highest price.

Whether Manchester United do make a sizeable offer only time will tell. Incoming boss Erik ten Hag will have his own ideas and so any big-money links at this time of the year need to be taken with a pinch of salt.

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