Nigeria international Victor Osimhen is reportedly eager to join Manchester United during the summer transfer window as he prepares to leave Napoli on a permanent basis.
According to reports, the Super Eagles striker is highly appreciative of interest from the 20-time English champions, who are emerging as frontrunners for his signature ahead of other top European clubs.
Osimhen, currently on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray, has been in exceptional form this season, scoring 20 goals and providing five assists in 27 appearances across all competitions. His performances have further cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s most lethal forwards.
The 26-year-old is expected to be available for approximately £62m (€75m) due to a release clause in his contract. Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Arsenal have also shown strong interest in securing his services.
Manchester United’s pursuit of Osimhen comes as manager Ruben Amorim seeks to address the team’s goal-scoring struggles, with current striker Rasmus Hojlund enduring a difficult campaign, having scored in just two Premier League games since December.
Reports suggest that United could include Hojlund in a swap deal with Napoli, offering approximately £33m (€40m) plus the Danish forward. However, fresh reports indicate that United might be prepared to trigger Osimhen’s release clause outright.
Arsenal have also reportedly made official contact with Osimhen’s camp, with sources indicating that they are willing to meet the release clause as they look to bolster their attacking options.
Despite the growing speculation, Osimhen has remained tight-lipped about his future. Speaking after Galatasaray’s goalless draw against Fenerbahce in February, he said:
“To be honest, I don’t know. A few months ago, nobody thought I would come here. I never believed I would join a club as big as Galatasaray. For me, I live for the moment. We will see what happens in the summer.”
Galatasaray have not ruled out keeping Osimhen beyond his loan spell and reportedly had a €65m bid rejected by Napoli earlier this year. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has maintained that any club interested in signing the striker must meet his full €75m release clause.
If he makes the move to Old Trafford, Osimhen would arrive with an impressive record, having scored 76 goals in 133 appearances for Napoli. He has also shone in the UEFA Champions League, netting nine goals in 17 matches.
It is expected to be a busy summer at Manchester United, with reports indicating that the club is looking to make as many as four key signings, including a centre-forward, a defensive midfielder, a centre-back, and a wing-back.
