Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen is reportedly still dreaming of a move to Manchester United after rejecting a move to Saudi giants Al-Hilal.
Italian news outfit, Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness, claims the Nigerian international is dreaming of an Old Trafford switch, with United studying a strategy to land him later this summer.
“United are ready to approach Napoli with a proposed player swap deal when the window reopens again on June 16. It’s claimed that United are ‘considering’ including Joshua Zirkzee in a ‘package deal.
“Victor Osimhen still sees himself as a major player in top-level European football, and that is where he envisions his future. Certainly not at Napoli, where he is officially due to return by mid-July for the start of the new season,” the outfit wrote.
“England has always had a strong pull for Osimhen. It is the most competitive league in the world and the best shop window after the Champions League. Last year, he came close to joining Chelsea, but the deal collapsed on the final day of the transfer window.”
The report reveals that Osimhen is “dreaming” of a proposed move to Old Trafford.
Napoli CEO Aurelio de Laurentiis is said to want suitors to pay Osimhen’s €75m (£63.5m) release clause, with the Red Devils reportedly considering including forward Joshua Zirkee in a possible move.
As per reports in England, United’s biggest transfer priority ahead of next season is to, arguably, sign a clinical striker, and Osimhen has been on their radar since last summer.
However, the Red Devils, who are said to have been put off by the Nigerian’s wage demands are now reevaluating the deal after missing out on the signing of Liam Delap.
Osimhen, who rejected a move to Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal, has enjoyed another prolific season in front of goal, with the 26-year-old scoring 37 goals in 41 games while on loan at Galatasaray.
Following the end of his loan spell, the Turkish club are also in the race to sign him permanently.
The 26-year-old, who is still the subject of interest from Al-Hilal and has also been linked with Juventus, Arsenal, and Chelsea, is once again set to be the subject of much transfer interest in the coming weeks and months.
Meanwhile, another Italian news outfit, La Gazzetta dello Sport, reports that United have not given up on the player’s chase.
The EPL side are said to be plotting a player-plus-cash swap offer involving Dutch striker, Joshua Zirkzee, who scored just seven goals in 49 appearances across all competitions with the Red Devils in 2024-25.
“Manchester United haven’t given up on Napoli-owned striker Victor Osimhen and are ‘studying’ the best method to approach the Partenopei, including a player-plus-cash swap offer involving Joshua Zirkzee.
Gazzetta confirms Osimhen is aware of Manchester United’s interest, and the Red Devils are now working on a first offer for the Napoli-owned striker.
The Red Devils seem reluctant to match the striker’s €75m clause, meaning that they’ll consider a player-plus-cash swap deal.(Punch)
