Man Utd plan double swoop for two Serie A stand out stars with Zirkzee offered in one deal

Manchester United are reportedly plotting a double raid on Serie A, targeting Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman.

The Red Devils, currently languishing in mid-table in the Premier League, are desperate to inject firepower into a squad that has struggled for goals in the 2024/25 season, and a swap proposal could see one deal fall into place with surprising ease.

Sources close to Old Trafford indicate that Ruben Amorim has identified Osimhen as his top priority to lead the line.

The Nigerian striker, who fired Napoli to the Scudetto in 2023, has a £67m release clause in his contract, though Napoli’s reluctance to lose their star man mid-season has softened amid interest from United in offering Joshua Zirkzee as part of a swap.

Zirkzee, signed from Bologna for £36.5m in 2024, has failed to adapt to the Premier League, scoring just twice in 18 appearances.

Napoli boss Antonio Conte is said to be keen on reuniting with Zirkzee, whom he admires from his Serie A days, and this could pave the way for United to land Osimhen at a reduced cash fee—potentially as low as £40m plus the Dutch forward.

Meanwhile, United’s interest in Lookman has intensified following his fallout with Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The 27-year-old winger, who scored a hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final, has notched 12 goals and 8 assists in Serie A this term, making him one of Europe’s most in-form attackers.

Caught Offside reports that Atalanta are now open to a summer sale, with United, Arsenal, and Liverpool in the frame. TEAMtalk understands United have made initial contact, eyeing a £50m move, though Atalanta’s asking price could climb higher if a bidding war erupts.

Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system demands dynamic forwards, and Lookman’s versatility as a winger or shadow striker fits the bill perfectly alongside Osimhen’s physical presence.

The swap element with Zirkzee could give United a financial edge, allowing them to fund both transfers without breaching PSR limits. However, challenges remain—Napoli’s mid-season stance on Osimhen is uncertain, and Lookman’s suitors may drive up his price.

A source told TEAMtalk, “United see this as a statement double swoop. Osimhen’s proven he’s world-class, and Lookman’s on another level this season. The Zirkzee swap could be the key—it’s one on a plate if Napoli bite.” With Amorim under pressure to turn United’s fortunes around, these blockbuster moves could define his tenure—and the club’s summer rebuild.