Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United is staring down a striker crisis. Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles to find the net consistently have left the Red Devils toothless, with the club on track for their lowest league goal tally since 1990. Enter Victor Osimhen, Napoli’s exiled hitman, Galatasaray’s loan star, and now United’s prime summer target.
Despite United languishing in 13th, Osimhen’s camp has delivered a bombshell update. Manchester United has been informed that Osimhen would be willing to move to Old Trafford without Champions League football, as per Graeme Bailey of TBR Football. This stance bypasses a major hurdle for United, as rivals Arsenal and Chelsea hover around the Nigerian talisman.
The Nigerian’s numbers justify the hype. With 20 goals in 27 games this term, including six in seven Europa League outings, Osimhen stands tall. For Amorim and Manchester United, Osimhen isn’t just a finisher but a big character who can anchor a rebuild for the club.
Saudi Pro League clubs are ready to splash cash on Osimhen. But the 26-year-old has no interest in playing in the Saudi Pro League yet, prioritizing a Premier League move. Napoli’s £65m price tag isn’t deterring suitors either, though United could face a bidding war with Chelsea, who nearly signed him last summer.
Napoli is open to a player-plus-cash deal involving Hojlund, but United is currently reluctant to offload Hojlund, whom they see as a great prospect because of his age and talent, despite previous reports of linking him for a move away. While the swap report sidesteps salary specifics, INEOS’s careful approach complicates matters.
Former United striker Louis Saha threw his weight behind the move: “Osimhen, I’m a big fan. He's a big character. He has experience at a very top level… He's the type of player that can bring you something.” Meanwhile, United’s hopes aren’t dead yet. A Europa League triumph in Bilbao would secure Champions League football and sweeten the deal. But even without it, Osimhen’s willingness to join signals a rare boost for a club in turmoil.
At £65m, Osimhen is a gamble. But for a United side starved of clinical finishing, he’s a lifeline. As Amorim overhauls the attack, this transfer could define his tenure or become another chapter in United’s recent striker curse.