Manchester United are unlikely to face competition from Bayern Munich Victor Osimhen if the Premier League giants step up their pursuit with the Napoli striker ‘completely unaffordable’.
Tongues were a-wagging late last month when the Serie A champion was spotted taking a stroll in Bavaria. Was Victor Osimhen on his way to Sabener Strasse to sign a five-year deal at Bayern Munich? Or was he simply enjoying a well-earned break with his German girlfriend, Stephanie?
Sorry social media sleuths; it seems the answer is closer to the latter rather than the former.
Bayern Munich – like Manchester United and seemingly every other top club on the continent – are in the market for an elite number nine this summer, and there is only so many to go around.
Victor Osimhen, fearsome in the air and emphatic within the width of the penalty area, would be the number one choice of most Bayern supporters to fill a Robert Lewandowski-shaped void in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
But if a fee in excess of £100 million is beyond Manchester United’s means, then it certainly is for a Bayern side who have only ever spent more than £50 million on a single player twice in their history.
Man United will not face Bayern Munich battle for Victor Osimhen
“I think Victor Osimhen from Napoli is good,” Bayern legend and now supervisory board member Uli Hoeness tells Suddeutsche Zeitung.
“But, in my opinion, he is completely unaffordable.”
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It’s an opinion likely to be held by most behind the scenes at the Allianz Arena. Bayern have already all-but ruled out a bid for Tottenham talisman Harry Kane. And Osimhen – who’s 31 goals helped fire Napoli to their first Scudetto in three decades – would likely cost an even larger fee.
Man United, meanwhile, appear to be moving on from Osimhen too.
While Kane remains the dream addition for Erik ten Hag, progress is being made regarding a deal for a younger, more attainable alternative with Rasmus Hojlund’s affordability and vast potential seeing him emerge as the priority ahead of Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani.
According to talkSPORT, the Red Devils are intensifying their pursuit of Atalanta’s £40 million poacher.
“I will not hide the fact that I am a huge Manchester United fan,” Hojlund admitted earlier this year (MEN).
“So personally, (moving to Old Trafford) would be one of the biggest things for me. But that doesn’t mean that I would turn down other big clubs if the offers come at some point.”
Likened to near-namesake Erling Haaland due to his outstanding movement and instinctive finishing; Hojliund has 17 goals in 27 starts for club and country in 2022/23.