Manchester United will step up the search for a new striker this summer after a campaign in which they have struggled to score goals.
Despite signing two forwards for the centre-forward role in the past two years, Manchester United are still in desperate need of a goalscorer.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have not done enough to lead the line for one of the biggest clubs in the world, leaving Ruben Amorim with limited options when it comes to goalscorers.
United remain reliant on Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo for goals, although the latter is out nursing an ankle injury, while Alejandro Garnacho has suffered a dip in form.
Having scored just 37 goals in 31 league games, it has been a turbulent campaign. The Manchester derby on Sunday was the 12th time United failed to score in a Premier League match this term.
United will set a record for their lowest goals tally in the Premier League era (54 goals) unless they can score at least 17 goals in their remaining seven fixtures.
Latest Victor Osimhen to Manchester United transfer news
The latest report from United in Focus states that Victor Osimhen is United’s priority striker target, while Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is seen as one of the alternative options this summer, as part of a six-man shortlist.
Osimhen is currently on loan at Galatasaray but is set to return to Napoli when that temporary deal expires.
However, David Ornstein of The Athletic has raised doubts over Osimhen’s potential switch to the Premier League, with hi response to a question in a Q&A session.
“There seems to be a consensus among Premier League clubs that Victor Osimhen’s most likely destination is Saudi Arabia,” Ornstein said. “Part of that will be down to the affordability of his wages. But let’s see.”
It remains to be seen if Ineos will bow to Osimhen’s wage demands or if the Nigerian striker will move his career to the Middle East.
Who is Man United transfer target Victor Osimhen?
Manchester United transfer target Victor Osimhen is a professional footballer applying his trade at Galatasaray, after being sent on a season-long loan by Napoli. Since arriving in Europe, Osimhen played for Wfl Wolfsburg, Charleroi and Lille before joining Napoli, where he won the Serie A title in 2023 – finishing the campaign as the league’s top scorer with 26 goals.
What is Victor Osimhen’s release clause?
Victor Osimhen has a release clause worth around £62 million which can be triggered this summer as he looks for a way out of Napoli.
How old is Victor Osimhen?
At the time of writing, Victor Osimhen is 26-years-old. He made his professional debut with Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg at 18 years, four months and 14 days in May 2017.
Where and when was Victor Osimhen born?
Victor Osimhen was born in Lagos State, the capital city of Uruguay, on April 11 in 2001. The city is now estimated to boast a rising population of just shy of 1.8 million residents in 2024.
How tall is Victor Osimhen? What is his height in feet?
Standing at a height of 1.85 metres, Victor Osimhen measures in at a height of 6 ft 1 in feet.
What position does Victor Osimhen play?
As one of the elite goalscorers in European football in recent years, Victor Osimhen possesses a captivating skillset for a centre-forward. He’s always active inside the box, looking to get behind the centre-backs, and his finishing capabilities mean that he is most effective in the danger area.
How good is Victor Osimhen? What has been said about him?
Although Victor Osimhen has had his problems with injuries over the years, the Nigeria international has been a prolific goalscorer throughout his career. That makes him one of the sharpest and most athletic No 9s that European football has to offer.
This is a striker who can score from a range of different angles, positions and distances. His darting acceleration is rarely matched and he is an aerial threat with the ability to effectively lead a press.
Speaking on his podcast, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand stressed that Osimhen is a player the Reds need to sign to bolster their attack.
“But the big point is that we need Osimhen, we need him,” Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“We need experience, we need someone who knows how to score, we need someone who can show these young strikers at Man United how to do it and what is on the line when you need to deliver.
“I want someone who knows their way around a football pitch at the elite level and knows how to score at the elite level consistently.
“Osimhen has done that. I want here and now. Yes, Osimhen has not played in the Premier League but I don’t care. I think he scores wherever he goes.”
Career stats of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen has predominantly played as a forward and has scored goals whenever he’s been, especially after joining Belgian outfit Charleroi from Wolfsburg.
- WfL Wolfsburg: 16 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists, 1 yellow cards, 0 red cards.
- Charleroi: 36 appearances, 20 goals, 4 assists, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.
- Lille: 38 appearances, 18 goals, 5 assists, 5 yellow cards, 0 red cards.
- Napoli: 133 appearances, 76 goals, 12 assists, 19 yellow cards, 1 red card.
- Galatasaray: 32 appearances, 28 goals, 5 assists, 7 yellow cards, 0 red cards.
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