Manchester United have reportedly initiated talks with Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen as they look to bring him to Old Trafford, amid ongoing speculation about his future. Meanwhile, Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek has addressed rumours linking the forward with a move.
Strengthening the attack is a top priority for United in the upcoming summer transfer window. Rasmus Højlund has struggled to consistently find the back of the net, while Joshua Zirkzee, though talented, is not a traditional number nine.
United manager Ruben Amorim is eager to bolster his forward line, and Osimhen has emerged as one of the key targets under consideration.
TEAMtalk’s Italian football correspondent, Rudy Galetti, claimed that Man United are “concretely interested” in Osimhen.
The Nigeria international striker is on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli until the end of the season and has a release clause of €75million (£64m, $85m) in his contract with the Serie A giants.
Sources have told TEAMtalk that for Man United to be able to sign Osimhen this summer, they need to qualify for the Champions League.
Amorim’s side have a very good chance of progressing to the Europa League final this season after winning the first leg of the semi-final tie 3-0 against Athletic Bilbao away from home in Spain last week.
TuttoJuve has now revealed that Man United have ‘started talks with Victor Osimhen’.
The Premier League giants are said to have ‘identified the Nigerian striker as a priority to strengthen’ their squad for next season.
The Italian news outlet has noted Juventus’s interest in Osimhen, who has scored 33 goals and provided eight assists in 37 appearances for Galatasaray this season.
Meanwhile, TEAMtalk claimed that Galatasaray will not be able to pay the release clause in Osimhen’s contract and would need Napoli to lower the fee to get a deal done.
Galatasaray president Ozbek spoke about Osimhen’s future this week and noted, as quoted on beIN SPORTS: “85 million people in Turkiye come to me with the same question.
“We are in a race right now, the race in football is not over. Transfers are at the beginning of June.
“Nobody should think about who to buy or sell. We are focused on the field. We have 5 matches ahead of us. We are working to win all 5 matches and make our fans happy.
“There is no transfer on our agenda right now. We will share our thoughts when the time comes.”
Former Turkish referee Ahmet Çakar has expressed doubt over Victor Osimhen’s future at Galatasaray, suggesting the Nigerian striker is unlikely to remain at the club beyond the current season.
Speaking to Turkish media, Çakar said, “In my opinion, Osimhen is one of the best foreign players in Galatasaray’s history. He is still very young and immensely talented. Naturally, it’s his dream—and within his rights—to move to a top club in one of the world’s best leagues.”
“I don’t see him staying at Galatasaray. This isn’t about money or wealth. The real question is, what happens to the team when Osimhen leaves?”
