By Ebenezer Bajela
According to Malu Mpasinkatu, Italy’s number one pundit on African football matters, English Premier League side, Manchester United, are reportedly working on a deal to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen Italy’s number one pundit on African football matters, English Premier League side, Manchester United, are reportedly working on a deal to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as the transfer battle to secure his services intensifies, The PUNCH reports.
Rasmus Hojlund is the Devils’ top goalscorer in all competitions this season with 13 goals, although the Dane has not been able to find the back of the net since February 13 and the Premier League giants are aiming to sign a top-class striker during the next transfer window.
Erik ten Hag’s side have been linked to top talismans like Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee and Osimhen.
United tried to sign the Nigerian striker last summer, with both he and Harry Kane at the top of Ten Hag’s transfer wish list.
However, neither move came to fruition. Kane completed a switch to Bayern Munich while Osimhen ended up staying at Napoli after leading them to the Scudetto for the first time in three decades.
Following recent reports that the Napoli striker is close to joining Paris Saint-Germain after being offered a four-year contract that could see him earn close to €13m, United are ready to hijack the bid.
Speaking on Radio Goal, Mpasinkatu said United are ready to enter into a bidding war for the 25-year-old striker.
“United will rival Chelsea for Osimhen this summer and both clubs are “on him” – a suggestion that they’re working on a deal to lure him to their respective sides.
“From the information I have, at the moment there is talk of [Marcus] Thuram at PSG instead of Mbappe.
“The Nigerian (Osimhen) has already played in France; his goal is the Premier League. Manchester United are on him as well as Chelsea. [Jonathan] David? He could be the right profile to replace Osimhen, he is young but has been playing in Europe for several years.
“He has different characteristics from Osimhen, but he is very strong. Lille are an expensive club, but it’s unlikely that the players they sell do badly.”
While he has not been as prolific as he was last term when he finished as the Serie A top scorer with 26 goals, Osimhen still boasts of decent numbers considering how much Napoli have struggled.
He has 15 goals and four assists in 27 appearances across all competitions.
Source: The Punch
