This summer, signing a new starting striker is a non-negotiable need for Manchester United’s progression under Ruben Amorim.
As much as the club has been desperate for Rasmus Hojlund to be a success at Old Trafford, it is now crystal clear that he just is not cut out for this level of football.
Due to this, Manchester United are open to selling Hojlund with an acceptance that they will take a £34m hit on the 22-year-old, with Ineos valuing him at just £30m.
This season, Hojlund has made 45 appearances for United with just eight goals to show for it, along with four assists. This has his total for United at 88 games, 24 goals and six assists.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 88 | 24 | 6 |
Due to this, number nines have been the talk of the season for United, with two names appearing to be top of the list.
United are looking to trigger Liam Delap’s release clause, which will be £30m this summer, as Ipswich’s relegation will be official this weekend.
However, the second name being linked heavily as a potential striker is one who is ready to star, if the club are ready to take the plunge.
Personal terms claim vs
United’s number nine search had appeared to be a two-horse race. Delap is one, while Napoli’s Victor Osimhen was United’s other serious option.
The Nigerian striker is one of Europe’s best and would bring an expectation and guarantee of goals, which Ineos are sure to be tempted by.
According to Calcio Mercato over in Italy, an agreement between United and Osimhen was claimed to be ‘imminent’ as the forward favours a move to Old Trafford over Juventus.
This was always expected to be the easy part as Osimhen has been keen on joining United regardless of Champions League.
However, The Athletic’s David Ornstein claims that Victor Osimhen will not be featuring high on the club’s shortlist.
“If Manchester United looks for other [strikers], I’m sure it will not be Victor Osimhen… He will not be on the agenda for Manchester United,” Osimhen told NBC Sports.
Unpacking this a little, it’s very possible the personal terms claims are being pushed by agents or intermediaries, keen to line up a potential move.
But if United are just not willing to take the plunge and negotiate with Napoli over a fee, it would all be a moot point.
Victor Osimhen was tipped as top choice
Victor Osimhen Osimhen was named as Rio Ferdinand’s choice as he would benefit Chido Obi and the 17-year-old’s development, to help him become a top-level forward.
The Napoli striker has bagged 30 goals this season while on loan for Galatasaray and would have been as close to ready-made as United could realistically target this summer.
It looks clearly like Liam Delap is the top choice, and any further moves may depend on player sales.
Perhaps a move for Osimhen might be revisited later in the summer if big sales leave the club in better shape.
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