Manchester United have been given fresh hope in the ongoing saga over Victor Osimhen of Napoli.
The Nigerian is coming off the season of his life, having netted 26 times in 32 games as I Partenopei clinched their first Scudetto in three decades. Osimhen has been linked with a plethora of European giants since but seems to have been priced out of leaving by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
In February, journalist Ciro Venerato claimed on Rai 2 show La Domenica Sportiva that the Napoli star is worth around £140 million to Napoli – but new developments could see Erik ten Hag get his man.
Sky Italia are reporting that contract talks are taking place between Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, and De Laurentiis – but there is some difference in opinion over the release clause inserted into the new deal.
Apparently, Napoli are angling to increase the buyout option to an astonishing £173m, which would make the striker the second-most expensive footballer of all time if it ever gets triggered. Osimhen, however, would prefer the fee to be around £100m – giving the green light to United to lock in a bid.
CBS Sports' Ben Jacobs has previously told Caught Offside that United manager Ten Hag is "obsessed" with Osimhen, though Napoli famously drive a hard bargain.
Part of the issue is said to stem from the original transfer of Osimhen from Lille in 2020, when the Serie A giants paid around £70m for the then-21-year-old's services. Napoli are rumoured to have placed a high sell-on fee in the deal to bring Osimhen to southern Italy – though this is unsubstantiated.
The Nigerian striker previously told Italian outlet, Corriere Della Sera that playing in the Premier League, “is an ambition of all players”.
Osimhen is valued at €120m by Transfermarkt.
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Rasmus Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani are wanted up front, while wonderkid Vitor Roque was linked before his move to Barcelona. Portuguese teen Joao Neves is on the radar, while his countryman Goncalo Ramos is in the crosshairs. United have also enquired about Theo Hernandez, while Jadon Sancho has been put up for sale.
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