Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has confirmed that he has already decided his next transfer move amid links with Manchester United.
The Nigeria international, 25, was heavily linked with a move away from Naples after announcing himself as one of the world’s leading forwards during their Scudetto-winning 2022/23 season. He stayed put at Napoli over the summer and signed a new contract with the Italian champions in December until 2026. The new deal came with a pay rise, but it also contains a €120m release clause.
The 25-year-old striker might not plan to stay put at Napoli for another season, strongly hinting his desire to play in the Premier League.
“I have already made my decision on the next step to do at the end of the season,” Victor Osimhen told CBS Sports (h/t 90min).
“I already made up my mind. I already have my plan, I know what I want to do, the next step I want to take. I think 60% of the people mention the rumours about me linked with the Premier League. The Premier League is one of the biggest leagues in the world.
“I want to finish the season with Napoli strong then come up with the decision I’ve already made.”
In addition to Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid are also admirers of Osimhen, the report adds. Now that the 25-year-old has hinted at a summer move away from Naples, should Man United make a move?
Victor Osimhen to Manchester United—Should the Red Devils make a move?
Victor Osimhen is a name that has been on the lips of multiple European bigwigs in the last couple of years, though a high-profile move has never come to fruition for the 25-year-old striker. The reason why is not clear; however, it seems his stint in Naples will be coming to an end in the summer.
The Lagos-born star has bagged 67 goals and 17 assists in 119 appearances for Napoli, spearheading his current club to an unexpected Serie A triumph last season—their first in 33 long years. While he stayed put in Naples over the summer, a move away from Serie A this summer is on the cards amid interest from several clubs.
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United are among Osimhen’s biggest admirers it seems. The Mancunian club splashed a lot of money on the raw and inexperienced Rasmus Hojlund in the summer to fix their goalscoring issues. But for all of his promise, Hojlund’s poor returns in front of goal, alongside that of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho, has been a cause of concern for Ten Hag. The young Danish centre-forward’s struggles are down to his teammate’s inability to find him in the box, but there is no doubt that he needs support and mentorship.
Support from Osimhen would not only be ideal for Hojlund’s development but also to turn around Ten Hag’s fortunes after a poor 2023/24 campaign so far. With United out of Europe and struggling domestically, new minority owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS could make a statement by signing the Nigeria international in the summer.
It is apparent that the Red Devils need a ruthless goalscorer to lead their attack next season, and signing an out-and-out No.9 in the form of Osimhen would fix their frailties up top. Paying the 25-year-old’s €120m release clause in the summer would be some way of making an impression for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team.
