Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti is set to leave the club and offers no assurances over Manchester United target Victor Osimhen.
Manchester United’s need to sign a striker is the big focus for the Red Devils heading into the upcoming transfer window.
One top option is Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who is more expensive than Harry Kane. However, if Daniel Levy refuses to sell the Tottenham forward, then United may have to pay Napoli’s asking price.
The Mail report United believe it would cost around £130 million to sign Osimhen this summer.
Victor Osimhen future
Victor Osimhen scored twice for Napoli in their 2-2 away draw against Bologna at the weekend. He has now scored 30 goals for the season, and there is still one Serie A game remaining.
But even with the title secured, there is some turbulence at Napoli. Manager Luciano Spalletti has dropped the bombshell he will be standing down.
Goal reports he has asked to take a sabbatical and leave the game for a year.
President Aurelio De Laurentiis said: “Spalletti told me that a cycle has come to an end and he asked me to leave because he wants a sabbatical year. I will respect his choice despite the contract.”
Spalletti himself spoke out at his press conference on Victor Osimhen, and could offer no guarantees he would stay, backing him to get better wherever he is playing.
He is quoted by the Daily Post: “He will have an important future, no matter what team he plays in, and is above all a good lad too. His teammates love him, he helps them out and resolves situations rather than complains.
“He will become even more of a top player in future.”
So what can we read into this? Well, one of Napoli’s key reasons for trying to persuade Victor Osimhen to stay would be to keep their successful 2022/23 team together.
But with their manager leaving, this falls apart. Osimhen will put himself first, and if he has ambition to move on, he will push for it.
Teamtalk reported last month that Osimhen has ‘one eye’ on Old Trafford as he considers his future, although Manchester United are not the only club linked, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich also monitoring his situation.
Osimhen is five years younger than Harry Kane, and while more expensive and not Premier League proven, he could be a better longer term investment.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
