Manchester United Enters Talks With Victor Osimhen

Manchester United have entered into talks with the entourage of Galatasaray centre-forward Victor Osimhen (26), Foot Mercato can reveal. The Nigerian international spends the season on loan with the Istanbul-based Süper Lig giants from SSC Napoli. Osimhen has easily settled in with Galatasaray, netting 33 goals and 8 assists in 37 games in all competitions. The former Lille OSC striker will leave Galatasaray as his loan does not include an option to make his move permanent. He has also set his sights on leaving Napoli. Foot Mercato understands that Osimhen is keen on joining the Premier League, and Manchester United may be one of the only clubs to meet his €12m per year wage demands. PSG are seemingly out of the running to sign Osimhen. The Red Devils are looking to change their attacking options as both Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee have, so far, failed to meet expectations following their big-money arrivals last summer. The outlet adds that Manchester United drew up a 4-man shortlist to identify their next striker. Among these names are Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap and Sporting Portugal’s Victor Gyokeres. The Swede appears to be Manchester United’s priority, mainly in the event of Champions League qualification, which would be obtained by winning the Europa League. But it seems Manchester United are keeping their options open. Indeed, the Red Devils have reportedly met Osimhen’s entourage this Monday. Foot Mercato understands that Napoli will ask north of €75m to allow Osimhen to leave Antonio Conte’s squad.

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Osimhen Linked With Liverpool Move

Liverpool are expected to sign a new No. 9 this summer and out-of-favour Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, has now been linked. Osimhen has spent the season with Galatasaray after finding himself frozen out by Antonio Conte and replaced by Romelu Lukaku, and is set to move on permanently this summer. His position at Napoli comes despite scoring 76 goals in 133 games for the club and being widely considered one of the most talented strikers in Europe during their title-winning campaign in 2022/23. That should see him coveted this summer, but having seen proposed moves to Chelsea and Al-Ahli fall through a year ago, it remains to be seen who will pursue a deal. According to Sky Sports‘ Lyall Thomas, Osimhen is one of the strikers Liverpool are considering as they plot to replace Darwin Nunez in the next transfer window. The reporter claimed that Osimhen, Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are all potential targets, with both Isak and Sesko also linked by reliable sources on Merseyside. While it is not the first time Liverpool have been purported as suitors for Osimhen this is the most concrete link so far this season. Unlike Isak, who is expected to be priced at upwards of £150 million as Newcastle hold firm in their no-sale stance, the Nigerian would be available for £63.8 million due to a release clause in his contract at Napoli. That would be lower than the fee quoted for another target, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, who is rumoured to be available for £80 million. Osimhen could suit Arne Slot‘s system at Liverpool as a powerful, pacy forward who can hold his own as a lone striker and, crucially, has scored 79 goals in 110 games in the last three seasons at Napoli and so far at Galatasaray. Scoring consistently has been the biggest issue for Nunez, who is set to be made available this summer having failed to establish himself as a key player under Slot. And though there could be question marks over whether his record would translate to the Premier League, only six players across Europe’s top 10 leagues have found the back of the net more often than Osimhen this season. Those are Viktor Gyokeres, Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Mohamed Salah – all elite forwards and a marker of the company Osimhen merits among the best in Europe. Any suggestion that Osimhen is a genuine target should be taken with a pinch of salt at this stage, with Sky Sports’ claim yet to be backed up by Liverpool reporters. But it would be no surprise if those within the club’s recruitment team were not at least monitoring his situation as they weigh up a move for their next No. 9.

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Osimhen Fires Galatasaray Reaches to Turkish Cup Final

Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen delivered a stellar performance for Galatasaray, scoring one goal and providing an assist in their emphatic 5-1 victory over Konyaspor in the Turkish Cup semifinal clash at the Konya Buyuksehir Belediye Stadium. Osimhen, who has been a key figure for Galatasaray this season, spearheaded their attack as they aimed to secure a coveted spot in the Turkish Cup final. The 26-year-old forward wasted no time in making his mark, opening the scoring in the 26th minute. He demonstrated his aerial prowess by rising highest to meet a well-delivered cross from teammate Dries Mertens, powerfully heading the ball into the net to give Galatasaray a 1-0 lead. Osimhen had another opportunity to extend the lead in the 32nd minute, but Konyaspor goalkeeper Deniz Ertas pulled off a fine save to deny the Nigerian. However, Ertas was unable to prevent Lucas Torreira from doubling Galatasaray’s advantage just before halftime, with the Uruguayan midfielder finding the back of the net in the 43rd minute to make it 2-0. Galatasaray continued their dominance after the break, and just two minutes into the second half, Osimhen turned provider. He displayed excellent vision and technique to play a precise pass to Roland Sallai, whose subsequent shot took a deflection before finding the back of the net, extending Galatasaray’s lead to 3-0. Konyaspor briefly offered a glimmer of hope when Pedrinho pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute, reducing the deficit to 3-1. However, Galatasaray quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback, striking twice more through Sallai and Yusuf Demir to seal a comprehensive 5-1 victory. Osimhen’s overall contribution to Galatasaray’s dominant performance was significant. Throughout the match, he registered an impressive three successful dribbles, had six attempts on goal, created two key passes for his teammates, and won seven of his eleven duels. Galatasaray now await the outcome of the other Turkish Cup semifinal between Trabzonspor and Goztepe on Thursday to discover their opponents in the final. While the Lions may harbor hopes of facing Goztepe, perceived as potentially easier opposition, Victor Osimhen’s consistent form suggests he will be a crucial asset for Galatasaray regardless of who they face. Having not lifted the Turkish Cup trophy since 2018, Galatasaray will be determined to go all the way this season, and with Osimhen leading their attack, their chances of success look promising.

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Osimhen Makes Huge Transfer Decision

Victor Osimhen wants a move to the Premier League or Juventus this summer following the conclusion of his Galatasaray loan spell, a report has revealed. Osimhen joined the Turkish giants on a temporary basis last September after new manager Antonio Conte froze him out at Napoli and talks over a move to Chelsea broke down. Facing a season on the sidelines, Turkiye’s late summer transfer deadline offered Osimhen a get-out route which he gladly accepted, and the Nigerian hitman has been in tremendous form this season. The striker has scored 28 goals in all competitions for the Super Lig leaders, with Gala poised to enjoy a trophy-laden campaign despite their early Europa League exit. Regarded as one of the very best forwards in world football, it’s no surprise that Osimhen has been so productive in Turkiye. His stay in Istanbul is set to be brief, though. ESPN report that Galatasaray have no agreement in place with Napoli to buy the Nigerian superstar permanently at the end of his loan spell, and Osimhen has made it clear that he wants to return to a leading European league. Juventus in Serie A and the Premier League have piqued his interest, with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal among the clubs previously linked. All three clubs are in the striker market this summer, while Juve’s situation is complicated following the exit of Thiago Motta. The futures of Dusan Vlahovic and loanee Randal Kolo Muani are up in the air. Osimhen is on United’s shortlist for the summer, but Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is said to be emerging as their striker priority. Chelsea have also shown interest in Delap after coming close to signing the Nigerian last summer, while Arsenal’s new sporting director is eyeing a move for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres. The 26-year-old’s release clause in his Napoli contract, which expires in 2026, has dropped to £62.7m, but his salary demands, believed to be £9m after tax, may deter potential suitors. The Saudi Pro League is another potential destination, but Osimhen’s preference in regards to his future club means a move to the Middle East currently seems unlikely.

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Arsenal ready £65m offer for Osimhen

Arsenal are plotting a summer move to sign on loan Napoli forward Victor Osimhen in the summer transfer window, according to Italian outlet Tuttojuve. The Nigerian international attracted persistent interest last summer, with Chelsea coming closest to sealing a deal before it fell through. Amid an injury crisis upfront, Arsenal have now shown interest in signing the prolific forward, who has registered 25 goal contributions this season. According to Tuttojuve, Arsenal are preparing an offer to sign the 26-year-old from Napoli in the summer transfer window. The report adds that the North London club are ready to trigger his release clause by placing a €75m (£61m) bid to sign the forward. Amid interest from other clubs, Arsenal are looking to fast-track the transfer as the Italian outlet claims that the club will submit a bid to beat competition from other clubs, including Juventus, to sign the Nigerian star. Osimhen is currently on loan with Turkish League defending champions, Galatasaray, and he’s set to return to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this summer, where he’s expected to leave with a year left on his contract. During the last summer and winter transfer window, a prolific out-and-out centre-forward was believed to be high on Arsenal’s transfer list. It appears Mikel Arteta still has full confidence in Kai Havertz up front as the German international has been utilized in the centre-forward role for the Gunners this season. With nine Premier League goals and 15 in all competitions, the numbers do not entirely depict a bad output from the 25-year-old, who has also provided five assists this season. However, if the Gunners are to have a more potent shot at the title, the need for a prolific forward cannot be undermined. A swoop for Osimhen could hand Arteta a box dominator the team has lacked, and his all-around play, technicality, and goalscoring prowess could be vital assets to further reinforce the Gunners’ attack next season if he joins.

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Man Utd scouts Osimhen

Manchester United have reportedly sent scouts to monitor Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, according to talkSPORT. Osimhen, 26, recently scored twice in Galatasaray’s 2-1 victory over Rizespor, further solidifying their lead at the top of the table. This performance has reportedly intensified United’s interest as they seek to bolster their attacking options in the upcoming transfer window. However, securing Osimhen’s signature may prove challenging. The Nigerian international commands a significant wage, reportedly around £200,000 per week, and is keen to play in the Champions League. While United are interested, they face competition from other clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, who are reportedly preparing for the departure of Randal Kolo Muani. Osimhen has previously expressed a desire to play in the Premier League, stating last year, “Future in the Premier League? Of course, I would like to play it one day, for now I have other plans for my career. When the time comes you will know everything.” Since acquiring a minority stake in Manchester United nearly a year ago, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has implemented a cautious approach to spending, including workforce reductions to free up funds for player acquisitions. The club’s ability to make a substantial offer for Osimhen will likely depend on their financial position concerning Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). While sending scouts suggests United are exploring the possibility of a deal with both Napoli and the player, it remains to be seen whether Ratcliffe will mandate squad trimming before any major purchases. Osimhen’s prolific 2022/23 season, where he scored 26 goals in 32 games and led Napoli to the Serie A title, earned him the African Player of the Year award for 2023. Napoli subsequently extended his contract, including a £113 million release clause, to protect their asset. Despite this, his goal-scoring form dipped slightly the following season, making European giants hesitant to trigger the release clause. The arrival of Antonio Conte at Napoli further complicated Osimhen’s situation, leading to his season-long loan to Galatasaray. There, he has rediscovered his scoring touch, leading the club to the top of the Turkish league.

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Napoli, Owner dragged to Court over Osimhen deal

Italian prosecutors on Wednesday called for Napoli and the club’s owner Aurelio De Laurentiis to stand trial for false accounting related to transfers, including that of Serie A title hero Victor Osimhen. Napoli, De Laurentiis and one of his key advisors Andrea Chiavelli are suspected by prosecutors in Rome of filing falsified accounts between 2019 and 2021, with their investigation focused on the signings of Kostas Manolas from Roma and Osimhen from Lille. The 70 million-euro deal for Nigeria striker Osimhen — now on loan at Galatasaray — in 2020 raised eyebrows due to four players valued at around 20 million euros moving to Lille, three of whom never played for the French club. Napoli and De Laurentiis’ lawyers said that the decision to ask for a trial was “incomprehensible”. “In the documents there are opinions from consultants and independent bodies which demonstrate incontrovertibly that Napoli acted legitimately and in compliance with Italian accounting principles,” said Fabio Fulgeri and Lorenzo Contrada. “We are convinced that the proceedings will conclude positively (for Napoli and De Laurentiis).” A preliminary hearing judge will decide within six months whether the alleged offences are worthy of a criminal trial which would likely take years to complete. However, a source at Napoli told AFP that the documents in the prosecutors’ trial request have already been ruled as containing nothing incriminating by disciplinary authorities at Italy’s football federation (FIGC). The source said that there is “no chance” of Napoli being penalised by the FIGC even if the club were eventually found guilty in criminal courts, and added that they were confident a trial wouldn’t even take place. Osimhen was a huge star at Napoli and one of the keys to the club winning a third Serie A title — the first since the days of Diego Maradona — as they romped to the Scudetto with five matches remaining in 2023. Teaming up with breakout star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen scored 26 times in Serie A that season and confirmed his status as one of the world’s best strikers. But he soon began angling for a move away — saying publicly that he wanted to play in England’s Premier League — and after failing to agree a deal to leave last summer he was frozen out before being ignominiously loaned to Galatasaray in September. Osimhen’s move to Italy was one of a series of transfers from the same period which were investigated by the FIGC but which ended with all defendants, including Napoli and De Laurentiis, acquitted in April 2022. However the probe opened a can of worms and just over a year later Juventus were deducted 10 points after being found guilty of managing capital gains from transfers to artificially benefit their balance sheet. Juve were punished thanks to new evidence from a separate criminal investigation — named “Operation Prism” — carried out by prosecutors into the club’s accounting practices. A raft of Juve figures including ex-chairman Andrea Agnelli were handed long bans from football and also await a decision next month over whether they will face criminal trial.

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Man Utd, PSG make offers for Osimhen

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have both indicated a willingness to trigger the release clause in Victor Osimhen’s contract with Napoli and are now in talks with the Nigeria international, a report has claimed. Osimhen was heavily linked with Chelsea last summer but, after seeing talks collapse late on, ultimately joined Turkish side Galatasaray on loan for the season. There is no option for a permanent transfer in the agreement. While Galatasaray are keen to retain Osimhen, they are facing an uphill battle and Yagiz Sabuncuoglu has revealed both United and PSG have firmly ramped up their interest in the 26-year-old. “Victor Osimhen is about to sign a deal with a world-famous management company,” he told Sports Digitale. “In fact, a Real Madrid player is mediating these talks. What does this mean? The possibility of signing with Galatasaray in June has decreased a lot. “PSG and Manchester United made verbal offers to the player regarding salary and contract period. Because both clubs agreed to give Napoli the release clause. It is very difficult for Galatasaray to compete with these two clubs. He is most likely leaving at the end of the season.” The exact value of Osimhen’s release clause is not known but reports suggest it has dropped to around the £65m mark – an incredibly affordable fee for Europe’s elite sides, although United head coach Ruben Amorim has already voiced concerns about the Red Devils’ transfer budget in summer. Osimhen has retained his lethal streak in front of goal since moving to Turkey. He has racked up 17 goals and five assists in 23 appearances across all competitions, matching his goal tally from last season during his time with Napoli.

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