Osimhen still on United radar

Manchester United ready to pay record €140m for Osimhen – Report

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Peter Akinbo

Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen is still on Manchester United’s radar for the January transfer window as they remain determined to get their man, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Osimhen who plays for Napoli was involved in one of the biggest transfer sagas of the 2022/23 summer transfer window and according to Express Sport, the transfer rumours are prepared to follow him into the winter transfer wndow.

Towards the close of the summer window, there was talk of a swap deal between United and Napoli involving the 23-year-old and Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, but the deal did not happen before Deadline Day.

Manchester United were able to sign six players following the arrival of new manager Erik ten Hag.

However, the Red Devils missed out on a host of other stars, including Osimhen, ahead of Thursday’s deadline, which means Ten Hag could be tempted to delve back into the transfer market in January.

According to Express Sports, United do not consider the central striker position adequately strengthened. Their failure to strengthen this position in the window has left Marcus Rashford, Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Martial and Anthony Elanga all battling for the position.

So Ten Hag could still go for Napoli striker Osimhen in January. Last month, reports suggested the Italian club wanted €100m plus Ronaldo in return for Osimhen. And Express Sport reports that the Red Devils may decide that it’s a price worth paying.

Osimhen enjoyed a stellar start to the 2022/23 season, scoring in both opening Serie A matches as Napoli walloped Hellas Verona and Monza via an aggregate score of 9-2.

Brought in from Lille in a club record €70m in 2020, the Nigeria international has experienced good fortunes in Italy.

Other potential January window pursuits for the Red Devils include Barcelona man Frenkie de Jong, PSV’s Cody Gakpo, and Juve’s Adrien Rabiot.