Manchester United will have to stump up ‘big money’ if they want to persuade Napoli into sanctioning Victor Osimhen’s summer move to Old Trafford, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has told GiveMeSport.
The Red Devils completed the loan acquisitions of Jack Butland, Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer last month, but boss Erik ten Hag will be handed another opportunity to bolster his squad when the transfer window reopens.
Man United transfer news – Victor Osimhen
According to ESPN, Manchester United will have to fork out close to £90million if they want to win the race for Osimhen’s signature in the summer.
The report suggests the striker is high on the Red Devils’ list of priority targets, but reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are also in the hunt to strike a deal.
Chelsea are providing additional competition for Osimhen’s signature and are willing to splash the cash after already spending considerable sums last month.
Italian journalist Rudy Galetti recently told GiveMeSport that Tottenham Hotspur could join the race for the Nigeria international if Harry Kane moves onto pastures new.
Serie A table-toppers Napoli are in a strong negotiating position as Osimhen’s contract, which is worth £93,000-per-week, still has two-and-a-half years to run.
What has Ben Jacobs said about Osimhen?
Jacobs believes it will not be easy for Manchester United to lure Osimhen away from Napoli as the transfer target is content in his current surroundings.
The journalist feels the Red Devils’ pursuit will be made even harder if the Italian giants go on to be crowned the Serie A champions this season.
Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “People are always linking Manchester United with Osimhen, but that’s going to be really difficult because Napoli are flying and he’s very happy there. It’s going to take big money.
“Of course, the player may be interested in a Premier League move, but if Napoli win Serie A and continue to thrive in the Champions League, then they’ll want to hang onto him.”
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Would Osimhen be a good signing for Man United?
There is no doubt that Osimhen has played a pivotal role in Napoli’s Serie A title chase as, according to Sofascore, he has averaged a goal every 88 minutes in the Italian top flight this season.
The 24-year-old has been in formidable form and found the back of the net 17 times, while also contributing four assists, in all competitions since the campaign got underway.
Osimhen has been handed an average match rating of 7.53 by WhoScored, meaning Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the only Napoli teammate to have performed better in Serie A.
The former Lille man, who has already got his name on the scoresheet 83 times over the course of his senior club career, would be an upgrade on Manchester United’s current options at the top end of the pitch.
FBref statistics show Osimhen has averaged more goals and shots per 90 minutes than Anthony Martial and Weghorst this season, so it is abundantly clear that he would be an exciting addition to the Red Devils’ squad.
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