DONE DEAL: Manchester United signed Goal-scoring Machine for a club-record fee as the transfer is set to be announced today
Manchester United are anticipated to sign a new centre-forward during the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are poised to make multiple signings, and the focus appears on the attacking department.
They have already purchased Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers while talks are underway with Brentford over a potential deal for Bryan Mbeumo.
United are also eyeing a marquee striker, and Gazzetta dello Sport (page 20) report that they are ‘studying’ a plan to negotiate a swap deal for Napoli star Victor Osimhen.
The Nigeria international has a £63 million release clause in his contract, but United aim to lower the package by including Joshua Zirkzee as a makeweight for his transfer.
Osimhen has turned down multiple offers from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal. He is waiting for the Premier League and ‘dreams of playing’ for the Red Devils.
Osimhen deal could be on if his salary demands are lowered
The 26-year-old spent the previous campaign on loan with Galatasaray. He registered 37 goals and eight assists from 41 appearances across all competitions.
Osimhen is now expected to part ways with Napoli. He has turned down an enormous salary package of £38m per year from Al Hilal as he prefers to stay in Europe.
United are his dream destination, but the big question remains whether Napoli will accept Zirkzee in a player-plus-cash agreement for the Nigerian ace.
Even if they do, Osimhen’s wage demands could be a potential stumbling block for the Red Devils.
The former Lille striker reportedly wants a net salary of £194,000 per week, which translates to gross wages of £350,000 weekly in the UK before taxes.
This would make him the joint-highest earner in the United squad alongside Casemiro.
We believe the club may not accept his requirements as it may cause unrest among other high earners.
In our view, a deal could be on the cards if Osimhen is prepared to accept gross wages of £250,000 weekly, which is what Mbeumo aims to earn at United.
