Major Man Utd transfer boost for Osimhen signing as hurdle now removed

Manchester United have received a significant boost in their chase for Napoli’s prolific striker Victor Osimhen, with Juventus reportedly withdrawing from the race due to financial constraints.

As head coach Ruben Amorim targets attacking reinforcements to revive United’s faltering season, the Nigerian star’s availability could reshape the Red Devils’ transfer strategy, though conflicting reports cast doubt on the deal’s likelihood.

Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, has been a revelation in the 2024-25 season, scoring 30 goals across all competitions.

His physicality, aerial prowess, and clinical finishing have made him one of Europe’s most coveted forwards, with a €75 million (£63 million) price tag reflecting his value.

Manchester United, languishing in 15th place in the Premier League with a meager 38 goals in 33 matches, desperately need a reliable goalscorer.

Current strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have managed just 15 combined goals, with Zirkzee sidelined by a season-ending hamstring injury, amplifying the urgency for a marquee signing.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Juventus have pulled out of the race for Osimhen, unwilling to meet Napoli’s €75 million valuation after signing Dusan Vlahovic for £42 million in 2022.

This development clears a path for United, who have been linked with Osimhen alongside Wolves’ Matheus Cunha and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.

The Manchester Evening News reports that United view Osimhen as a potential “number one striking target,” with personal terms reportedly agreed, per earlier claims from Tuttosport.

A post on X from @Manutd_addicts  on April 22, 2025, suggested United are preparing a £43 million bid, though this figure appears low given Napoli’s demands.

Despite the optimism, conflicting reports muddy the waters. The Athletic’s David Ornstein, speaking on NBC Sports, refuted claims of United’s interest, stating, “If Manchester United are to look at others, I’m assured it will not be Victor Osimhen – despite reports you might be reading.”

Ornstein’s assertion, made prior to Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace, suggests United may prioritize Cunha, with negotiations for his £62.5 million release clause in the “final stages,” per the Daily Mail.

Additionally, United’s reported interest in a swap deal involving Hojlund, as claimed by Tuttosport, could complicate matters, potentially enabling Juventus to pursue Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman if Hojlund moves to Napoli.

Other clubs remain in the hunt. Paris Saint-Germain, long-time admirers of Osimhen, and Chelsea, who see him as an alternative to other targets, pose threats.

Galatasaray’s vice-president, Abdullah Kavukcu, told Sport Mediaset that Osimhen would announce his decision in April, adding urgency to United’s efforts. United’s lack of guaranteed Champions League football, reliant on their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao, could hinder their appeal compared to PSG or even Chelsea, who are pushing for a top-four finish.

United’s pursuit of Osimhen hinges on their ability to navigate the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The club plans to offload up to ten players, including Casemiro, Victor Lindelof, and Marcus Rashford, whose permanent exit from his Aston Villa loan could generate £40 million.

Amorim’s openness to selling Hojlund, as noted in the Daily Mail, and the impending free-agent departures of Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans could further bolster funds.

A potential £100 million Europa League windfall contrasts with a projected £24 million loss in Premier League merit payments due to United’s drop from eighth to 15th, making strategic signings like Osimhen critical yet challenging.

Amorim’s confidence in attracting top talents, expressed to Sky Sports, underscores United’s enduring pull, even amid their worst season in decades.

However, the conflicting reports on Osimhen—ranging from agreed terms to outright dismissal—suggest United’s transfer plans are fluid, with Cunha and Delap as more immediate targets. X posts, such as @Manutd_addicts’ claim of Napoli’s sporting director visiting London, fuel speculation but lack corroboration, warranting caution.

If United can secure Osimhen, his goal-scoring prowess could transform their attack, addressing a critical weakness and signaling Amorim’s intent to rebuild around elite talent. Juventus’s withdrawal is a timely boost, but United must act swiftly to fend off rivals and clarify their priorities amid contradictory reports. As the summer window looms, Osimhen’s decision will be pivotal, potentially defining United’s trajectory in a season of upheaval.