Manchester United are reportedly willing to send Joshua Zirkzee and €30 million to Napoli for wantaway striker Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian forward is on loan at Galatasaray after falling out with the Serie A club.
Italian outlet Il Mattino reports that Napoli is open to negotiations for Osimhen, who's been in red-hot form in Turkiye. He's registered eight goals and four assists in nine games for the Turkish Super Lig giants.
Chelsea were interested in signing Osimhen last summer but he declined their contract offer despite the Blues reaching an agreement with Gli Azzuri. He's still expected to leave the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium next summer on a permanent basis, and a release clause of €80m will become active at that time.
Manchester United prepared to send Joshua Zirkzee in exchange for Victor Osimhen
Osimhen, 25, has been one of Europe's most prolific forwards for several years and helped Napoli win the Scudetto in 2023. He won the Golden Boot that season with 26 goals in 32 games.
Manchester United signed Zirkzee, 23, in the summer but the Dutch attacker has struggled to settle in at Old Trafford. He has just one goal and two assists in 17 games across competitions and he's already linked with a return to Serie A.
Zirkzee impressed at Bologna before moving to United, firing them to UEFA Champions League qualification last season. He cost the Red Devils €42.5 million and co-owners INEOS might consider biding their time given the price paid for his services and so little time spent at the club.
Ruben Amorim has overseen training for the first time as the new head coach and Zirkzee will be given a fresh opportunity under the Portuguese tactician. The issue is how he fits into Amorim's system, with the two-time Liga Portugal title winner preferring a 3-4-3 formation.
A move for Osimhen rules out a Viktor Gyokeres swoop
Ever since Amorim was announced as Erik ten Hag's successor there has been talk of his former Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres joining him at Manchester United. The Swedish frontman is one of Europe's most in-demand talents and is flourishing this season with an astounding 23 goals in 18 games across competitions.
Gyokeres, 26, was asked about speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford while on international duty with Sweden. He said (via Fabrizio Romano):
"Joining Amorim at Man United? Probably he already has strikers there. It’s sad to see him leaving Sporting, but we understand his decision, of course. He’s been key for me, Amorim gave me a chance helping me to develop."
Amorim has already ruled out moving for any Sporting players including Gyokeres in January. He might now have a decision to make over whether to pursue the Sweden international for a reunion or chase Napoli's Osimhen who is loving life at Galatasaray.