Italian agent Roberto de Fanti expects Premier League giants Manchester United to make a move for Napoli’s £94 million striker Victor Osimhen during the summer transfer window.
Then again, the comments Sir Jim Ratcliffe made on Tuesday cast some serious doubt on the prospect of a mega-money centre-forward arriving at Old Trafford over the summer.
Manchester United, the Ineos chief says, are looking to make their own superstars rather than sign them. The next Kylian Mbappe or Jude Bellingham, rather than the original version.
Suggestions from The Independent that Man United could be tempted to trigger the £94 million release clause in Victor Osimhen’s Napoli contract, then, look doubtful to say the least, even if an agent well-connected both in England and Italy can certainly envisage the Nigeria international wearing that iconic red shirt.
Manchester United still linked with Victor Osimhen
“The truth is that United, above all, are looking for a centre-forward,” De Fanti, who does not represent Osimhen but needs no introduction about the player’s talents, tells Tuttomercatoweb. “(Rasmus) Hojlund is doing reasonably well, but the classic ‘number nine’ could be Osimhen.”
It is well documented that Man United could look to bring in a more experienced striker this summer to ease the pressure on a still-only-21-year-old Hojlund. A centre-forward is almost certain to arrive, given that Anthony Martial will leave on a free transfer in July.
But while Osimhen’s price-tag has fallen by around £50 million since firing Napoli to the Serie A title last year, the chances of a club-record £94 million outlay for a player who would not even be guaranteed a place in Erik ten Hag’s starting XI when Hojlund is fit and firing look slim.
Especially with so many other areas of Ten Hag’s squad in need of reinforcement, and the club still battling with those limiting Financial Fair Play concerns.
Striker will cost a club-record £94 million fee
De Fanti, meanwhile, is backing Ten Hag to stay on, Sunday’s enthralling 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final victory over arch rivals Liverpoola rare high point in a difficult season season.
“The Manchester United bench is the most difficult of all. We’ve been talking about the post-Ferguson era for many, too many years,” De Fanti adds. “Ten Hag is also doing a decent job and I don’t know if changing manager again is the right choice.
“And in any case, if he wins the FA Cup, (him staying on) should be confirmed.”