Manchester United are reportedly intensifying their pursuit of Napoli’s star striker Victor Osimhen, with negotiations underway for a potential player-plus-cash deal to bring the Nigerian international to Old Trafford. According to reports from Italy, the Red Devils have initiated talks with Napoli, aiming to bolster their attacking options ahead of the summer transfer window. The discussions, led by United’s director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves, signal a bold move by manager Rúben Amorim to address the club’s goal-scoring struggles following a challenging season.
Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray where he has scored an impressive 36 goals this season, has long been a target for Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal. His prolific form in Turkey, coupled with his pivotal role in Napoli’s 2023 Serie A title win, has made him one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards. Napoli, the newly crowned Serie A champions under Antonio Conte, are open to negotiations but are reportedly demanding a deal that includes United’s young striker Rasmus Højlund plus an additional €40 million (£33.6 million).
The proposed swap deal has sparked debate among fans and pundits, given Højlund’s potential despite his inconsistent performances since joining United from Atalanta for €74 million two years ago. Reports suggest United would be willing to entertain offers around £46 million for Højlund, which could facilitate negotiations with Napoli. However, the Italian club’s insistence on a substantial cash component alongside Højlund underscores Osimhen’s high market value, despite his contract with Napoli running until 2026 and featuring a £63 million release clause for non-Italian clubs.
United’s interest in Osimhen comes amid competition from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, who are also keen to secure the 26-year-old’s signature ahead of the Club World Cup in June. Reports indicate Al-Hilal have offered Osimhen a lucrative three-year contract, adding urgency to United’s efforts to finalize a deal. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that Osimhen’s camp is demanding wages of around €12 million annually (£200,000 per week), a figure that could strain United’s budget under INEOS’s push to reduce the club’s wage bill.
Despite the financial hurdles, Osimhen’s proven goal-scoring ability makes him an attractive prospect for Amorim, who is eager to reshape United’s squad after a disappointing season, highlighted by a recent friendly loss to the ASEAN All-Stars. The Nigerian’s directness and clinical finishing have been praised by analysts, with ESPN’s Tor-Kristian Karlsen noting that Osimhen’s style could provide the edge United need in attack compared to other targets like Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres or Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.
However, Osimhen’s potential reluctance to join a United side that failed to qualify for the Champions League adds complexity to the deal. Napoli’s openness to a discount to prevent rivals Juventus from signing Osimhen could work in United’s favor, but the Red Devils face a race against time to convince the striker of their project. Meanwhile, Galatasaray, where Osimhen has thrived, are reportedly prepared to offer £56 million to make his move permanent, though it remains unclear if the striker would prefer to stay in Turkey or return to a top European league.