Manchester United are reportedly confident about signing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen despite interest from rivals Chelsea.
Manchester United and Chelsea are both keen on signing Victor Osimhen ahead of next season. With the Nigerian international set to part ways with Napoli, the Premier League giants are pushing to secure his services.
According to Mick Brown via Football Insider, the Red Devils are confident that they can convince Osimhen to snub long-term admirers Chelsea in favour of making the move to Old Trafford.
Despite signing Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in the recent past, Ruben Amorim is keen on signing a striker who can guarantee goals, and the former Manchester United scout feels the Napoli ace could be an ideal fit in the Portuguese manager’s system.
Brown’s take on Victor Osimhen to United
While speaking to Football Insider, he said: “Man United have been keeping an eye on him this season. He’s always a threat going forward and he’s got strings to his bow that I think would fit into Amorim’s system and the way he wants to play.
“But it’s up to their scouts, recruitment team, and Ruben Amorim to decide if he’s the one they want. They’ve been looking at a few options in that position and they’ll make a decision before the window opens about who they want to go for. One thing in Osimhen’s favour is that he’s going to be available.
“Some of the options United have looked at will command huge fees because their clubs want to keep them or they’re on long contracts. That isn’t the case for Osimhen, I think it’s pretty much accepted that he will leave Napoli.
“Man United aren’t the only ones interested, Chelsea have had a look at him and there are a few others I expect will be in the running. But from what I hear, United are confident they could convince him to choose them.”
Manchester United’s pursuit of a new number nine
Hojlund and Zirkzee have not been able to live up to Amorim’s expectations. As a result, the Portuguese manager is keen on bringing in a world-class striker who can lead the line next season. Their recruitment team have been working on it for a while, and they do have a few names on their wishlist.
Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres is believed to be a priority target for them. But they will face a lot of competition for his signature and will have to fork out a fortune to get him out of the Portuguese club. While having Amorim on their bench helps, the financial side of things won’t be easy.
Manchester United are looking at Osimhen as an ideal alternative, and they are already working towards a potential transfer. While signing him will also require a significant financial investment, it is almost certain that he will be available this summer.
He is currently on loan at Galatasaray after falling out with Napoli. He will return to his parent club but is expected to secure a permanent transfer this time around. Apart from the financial side of things, Manchester United will also have to battle it out with Chelsea, who have a long-standing interest in the 26-year-old.
While Nicolas Jackson has been doing a great job for Enzo Maresca, he won’t mind having another top striker in Osimhen. Other top clubs are in the race, but the Red Devils remain confident of convincing Osimhen to join them.
