Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes the Gunners-linked Napoli striker Victor Osimhen ‘will move somewhere else’ such as Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Had Aurelio de Laurentiis not demanded a fee even Todd Boehly would consider a little excessive, the much-coveted Nigeria international might have been the biggest mover of last summer.
The Napoli president wanted a staggering £150 million for Victor Osimhen back in 2023. But with a release clause in his Partenopei contract these days – albeit still a very sizeable one – this is already shaping up to be another summer of speculation surrounding one of Europe’s hottest number nines.
According to The Independent, Manchester United could look to make Osimhen the first marquee signing of the Ineos era. While United’s new approach is expected to focus on youth and potential, there is ‘an awareness’ of the fact that established elite-level performers like Osimhen – who still has plenty of miles left on the clock at the age of 25 – is worth pursuing.
Manchester United like Victor Osimhen
The report adds that there is also interest from Arsenal and PSG. And Petit, who spent three years in North London from 1997 to 2000, feels his former employers will be left behind by two clubs more renowned for big-money acquisitions. Even if Arsenal have spent very heavily in the recent past themselves.
Declan Rice, a £105 million signing from West Ham, was more expensive than any signing Man United have made in their entire history, after all.
“I think Osimhen will move somewhere else,” the 1998 World Cup winner tells Wett Freunde. “Like Paris Saint Germain or Manchester United.
“Because they simply have more money.”
United want another striker to rival Rasmus Hojlund
It is well documented that Man United are keen to bring in a more experienced centre-forward to ease the burden on a still only 21-year-old Rasmus Hojlund. Osimhem, given his relative youth and his remarkable goalscoring record, could represent an outstanding investment even there may be concerns over whether his £94 million price-tag would take up too much of United’s summer budget.
Osimhen scored 31 goals to fire Napoli to their first Serie A title in three decades last season.
“Osimhen? I really like his hunger. He’s incredible. He never gives up,” ex-United hero Edinson Cavani tells Radio Kiss Kiss. “In the end, that (work rate) is what makes you a difference-maker and makes you a competitive player.
“He has everything to continue growing and to become one of the best strikers in the world. The Scudetto was won thanks to his hunger.”
READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
