Manchester United have a clear path to secure a massive deal for Victor Osimhen, who's been one Europe's hottest strikers this season
(Image credit: Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Manchester United have been given the green light to pursue Victor Osimhen this summer, in a transfer that could top €100 million.
The Napoli forward has been in sparkling form this season as the Southern Italian giants lead Serie A and take Europe by storm. Osimhen joined in 2020 for a club-record fee of €70m potentially rising to €80m with add-ons – and has been paying back that outlay with 20 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions this term.
But though the Naples outfit are notoriously difficult to negotiate with when it comes to Premier League sides signing their players, Manchester United have been given encouragement that their pursuit of Osimhen is well and truly on.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has been electric this season – now he could be Old Trafford-bound (Image credit: LightRocket via Getty Images)
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has told TNT Sports via TeamTalkthat sometimes “offers can't be refused,” seemingly referencing his star striker, who has been linked with United.
“I am very good at making contracts, so when they come to me, they are blocked, so keeping them here won’t be difficult,” De Laurentiis said.
“However, I will never say never. Sometimes there are offers you can’t refuse, so you never know. To me, though, I hope we’ll see them shine for a long time.”
Osimhen, meanwhile, refused to commit to Napoli beyond this season when asked by ESPN, claiming, “When you are doing so well, top clubs around the world are watching, mostly in the top five leagues – and to be able to attract interest from these top clubs shows that I am doing great and it gives me the motivation to do even more for myself and my team.
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Erik ten Hag is on the hunt for a new striker to lead the line at Old Trafford (Image credit: Getty)
“At the end of the season, we will see what is going to happen, but that is not up to me. It is for the club to decide.”
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
