Hello and welcome to my latest column for CaughtOffside – click here to subscribe for daily round-ups from Fabrizio Romano and weekly columns from myself, Christian Falk and Jonathan Johnson!
Victor Osimhen dreams of playing in the Premier League and is being tracked by Manchester United and Chelsea. Although true Manchester City are also scouting him, their interest is less developed to date. The Nigerian has 19 Serie A goals in just 22 games.
A summer transfer is possible, but Osimhen is in no rush to leave Napoli. He has forged a prolific partnership with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Napoli are on a procession to the Serie A title and genuine Champions League contenders this season.
Napoli won’t sell Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia this summer. The Georgian, who is drawing attention from Manchester City and Newcastle, is likely to be offered improved terms making an Osimhen exit more likely out of the two.
As a result, Osimhen has a big decision to make. There will be big-money proposals and the Premier League is where he’s always wanted to play. That’s bad news for PSG, who can be termed another suitor.
It’s worth bearing in mind Napoli paid £62m (€70m) to Lille in 2020 via a mix of cash and players, plus a further £9m in bonuses. That’s why Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is demanding as high as double that initial outlay. That number is not thought to be realistic, but Osimhen could plausibly cost £100m+.
Manchester United desperately want a new flagship striker and tried for Osimhen before his move to Napoli. The Nigerian forward didn’t think the move was right due to fears over game time. Whereas his close friend Odion Ighalo, who was on loan at Manchester United at the time, was a factor in putting him off (since he felt like the Nigerian would be ahead of him for minutes), now Ighalo has told Osimhen Manchester United would be a strong fit. Manchester United are very serious about Osimhen.
The race is open for now, though. Off the high of an amazing season, Napoli will do all they can to keep him for another season or hold out for an astronomical fee. Chelsea, who also need a traditional forward, can’t be discounted either.
Manchester United have other options as well. They are monitoring the Harry Kane situation at Spurs. As previously reported, Kane ideally wants to stay put, which is why Spurs are calm about the situation. Daniel Levy is not entertaining any suitors at…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Transfer Rumours – CaughtOffside…