Osimhen 'waiting for Man Utd offer' having turned down Man Utd once before

Manchester United are firmly in the race to sign Victor Osimhen this summer, with the prolific Nigerian striker reportedly “waiting for” an offer from Old Trafford as he seeks a new challenge after a sensational loan spell at Galatasaray.

Osimhen, who scored 37 goals in 41 appearances for the Turkish club last season, is determined to secure a permanent move away from Napoli and has turned down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, signalling his preference to remain in European football—particularly the Premier League.

United’s urgent need for a reliable No.9 has kept Osimhen high on their shortlist, especially after underwhelming campaigns from Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

Osimhen's brother, Andrew, says that he could have joined United several years ago but he didn't want to battle for a place with Odion Ighalo.

He told Complete Sports: "It is very true that Manchester United wanted Victor, but he told me something like he had too much respect for Odion Ighalo to be competing for shirts with his senior colleague.

"My brother holds Ighalo in high esteem and he just didn't see himself going to Old Trafford to battle for a striking role with the highest goalscorer at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt."

The Red Devils have already strengthened their attack with the signing of Matheus Cunha and are actively pursuing Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, but landing a proven goalscorer remains a top priority.

Osimhen’s current contract with Napoli runs until 2026 and contains a release clause of around £63-£75 million, which is only valid for clubs outside Italy and expires in mid-July.

Juventus are also pushing hard for his signature, with manager Igor Tudor making Osimhen a top target, but United are seen as strong contenders due to the player’s stated ambition to play in the Premier League.

Chelsea’s interest has cooled following their signing of Liam Delap, while Liverpool have explored swap options but have not made a formal offer.

United legend Rio Ferdinand has publicly urged the club to move for Osimhen, stating that the striker “must be waiting for Manchester United” after snubbing Saudi Arabia and other European suitors.

Reports suggest that, as of now, no Premier League club has made a concrete bid, giving United a potential advantage if they act quickly.

However, Osimhen’s wage demands are significant—he reportedly seeks a salary similar to his current €12 million net per year at Napoli, which could be a stumbling block for United given their financial constraints.

Creative solutions, such as player-plus-cash deals involving the likes of Alejandro Garnacho or Jadon Sancho, have been suggested as ways to reduce the upfront cost and meet Napoli’s valuation.

In summary, Manchester United have a clear opportunity to sign Victor Osimhen this summer, provided they can meet Napoli’s asking price and the striker’s wage demands. With other Premier League clubs yet to formalize their interest, United’s proactive approach could be decisive in landing one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards