Manchester United are already looking to winter, with a marquee signing on the horizon up front
(Image credit: Getty)
Manchester United may have just finalised their squad for the first half of the season following the summer transfer window – but attention has already turned to January.
According to reports, Manchester United are still looking for another striker. Cristiano Ronaldo nearly left the 20-time champions over the summer due to a lack of Champions League football – and United would like to replace him by the start of next season, when his two-year deal will have ended.
So far, Marcus Rashford has been leading the line for the Red Devils. Anthony Martial played as the No.9 for Ten Hag during preseason, following his loan spell at Sevilla during the second half of last season.
Marcus Rashford in action during the opening Premier League match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion (Image credit: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Now, The Express claims that Victor Osimhen was on the radar for Ten Hag and that his employers Napoli were willing to part with the Nigerian. The condition, however, would have been for Ronaldo to head in the opposite direction and United to pay €100 million – or around £85m – to secure his signature.
Osimhen has set Napoli alight with his goals, netting two in four appearances already this season and has been on the radar for the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea over the years.
Now, one Italian journalist has claimed it's the striker's “destiny” to leave southern Italy amid Premier League interest.
“Victor Osimhen is stronger than Cristiano Ronaldo but overall it could have fit,” Sandro Sabatini told Radio Sportiva.
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Victor Osimhen has been a target for multiple Premier League sides (Image credit: Getty)
The €100m for Osimhen you can also take next year – it is in his destiny to leave. Cristiano Ronaldo you either get him now or you don’t. And if he had landed at Napoli, it would have given Aurelio De Laurentiis’ club great visibility.”
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.
