Manchester United’s transfer window is off to a positive start after years of getting used to stagnation and procrastination under the Glazers’ regime.
Two signings are already through the door – Matheus Cunha’s transfer is confirmed while Enzo Kana-Biyik will join in the summer.
Bryan Mbeumo has been identified as a target and talks are ongoing, but the sole asterisk on the window so far is the rejection by Liam Delap.
Delap chose to join Chelsea instead which was a blow to United’s striker hopes but even that blow seems to have turned into a boost for an even better player in Victor Osimhen.
Man Utd’s striker search latest
Liam Delap was United’s primary target because of a positive combination of a number of factors.
Delap fit the Ineos philosophy of buying young players with potential, was proven in the Premier League, and available for a bargain release clause of £30 million.
That made him the priority target ahead of Viktor Gyokeres (arguably aiming for a more competitive team), or Victor Osimhen (prohibitive wage demands).
However, after missing out on the player, they need to pivot by either moving to a different target or seeking an in-house solution, like moving Matheus Cunha to striker.
It looks like United are preparing a Hail-Mary move after missing out on Delap as his rejection is turning into a potential boost for Osimhen’s pursuit.
The Athletic report that United are reevaluating their stance on paying Osimhen’s wages after missing out on Delap, with the club potentially more open to talking with the player.
Victor Osimhen is a no-brainer if finances work out
United must be applauded if they have sensed an opportunity in the crisis that was Delap moving to Chelsea by reevaluating their stance on Osimhen.
The striker position is one where United absolutely can’t afford to cut any corners, be it in terms of quality or the finances involved.
In a way, the Delap deal felt like United were cutting corners and settling for the cheaper, easily available option instead of pursuing one of the best out there.
Osimhen falls in that category, while his style of play seems tailor-made for the Premier League since Delap has that one factor over him when compared.
If both parties can meet in the middle during negotiations, then Osimhen’s signing is a no-brainer. He can be the sort of player Robin Van Persie was for Sir Alex Ferguson.
Only Osimhen is even younger so it won’t be the last dance. It will be the start of a dynasty. Delap’s rejection will be celebrated in Manchester.
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