DONE DEAL: Manchester United third summer transfer signing is completed- Medical Completed and five-years deal Signed
Manchester United’s search for a striker in the transfer market hasn’t reached an end point yet, despite holding an interest in various talents – and reports from Italy have suggested that the search is set to continue, after failing with ‘timid attempts’ to sign Napoli star Victor Osimhen.
The Nigeria star has been in fine form for Galatasaray this season after his shock loan move to Turkey in August, scoring 37 goals in just 41 games for the Süper Lig champions as they cruised to the title – and that has seen United take an interest as Ruben Amorim aims to fix his failing front line with the star that Jose Mourinho called ‘world-class’.
Report: Man Utd Have Only Made ‘Timid’ Attempts for Osimhen
The Red Devils aren’t willing to put all of their eggs in one basket for the striker.
However, the report by Italian outlet Corriere del Mezzogiorno (via SportWitness) states that United have only made a ‘few timid attempts’ to sign Osimhen – with the financial aspect of a deal taking him to Old Trafford being ‘prohibitive’ for the club’s chiefs.
The Naples-based outlet claims that the Nigerian striker’s future is ‘very much a soap opera’ at present, having finished his loan spell at Galatasaray and being touted with moves to United, Juventus and even those in the Saudi Pro League as his future remains as undecided as ever.
Despite £400,000-a-week wage demands, the report says that Osimhen is the ‘most sought-after striker at the moment’, especially with Napoli willing to let him go and use the funds to build a squad of their own after winning the Serie A title.
However, president Aurelio de Laurentiis will refuse to compromise on his €75million (£63million) release clause, which is only available to clubs outside of Italy. In any case, Osimhen – described as being the ‘best striker in the world’ – is willing to wait for Premier League offers, putting United at the front of the queue.
But the report states that there is a problem – with United being the only side on English shores to have ‘made timid attempts’ to land him. The Red Devils’ efforts to sign Osimhen aren’t as strong as others from abroad, and Osimhen is holding out for United to find extra cash to secure his move to the Theatre of Dreams.
With United having already signed Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha, alongside lodging a bid for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo on Wednesday evening, Osimhen would be the final piece in the attacking puzzle – though they could miss out on a deal if they wait.
