The possibility of Manchester United securing the services of Napoli star Victor Osimhen after the Old Trafford club reportedly made the Nigerian international their top transfer target may have finally received a boost.
Though the 23-year-old has indicated lack of interest in a move to Old Trafford in January but hope came for United when Osimhen hinted that he is open to consider his options at the end of the season.
National Daily learnt from the claim by Manchester Evening News that the Red Devils are looking to bring in a new long-term option at centre forward with Osimhen one of the options being considered by the club.
The Nigeria international is Napoli’s club record signing having joined from Lille in 2020 for €80million and has a contract until 2025.
Napoli enjoyed a magnificent first half of the 2022-23 season, sitting eight points clear at the summit of Serie A having qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League as group winners with a marvellous campaign that included big wins over Liverpool, Ajax and Rangers.
Osimhen has nine goals in 11 Serie A appearances so far this term and is determined to help Napoli deliver silverware this season, having not win the league since 1990.
But the 23-year-old suggests he could consider his options in the summer, particularly in Napoli fail to get the job done this term.
‘It’s one of the best clubs in Europe and I want to win here,’ Osimhen told Il Mattino.
‘The future is this moment, try to win something relevant in Italy. It’s hard to think about something better than Napoli, one of the best clubs in Italy, right now I am only focused on this season because we haven’t done anything yet. We must win something and then we’ll see what happens’.
Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, Erik ten Hag hopes to bring in a forward option during the January window with the club said to be preparing a €50million bid for Cody Gakpo.
The Netherlands international scored 13 and provided 17 assists for PSV Eindhoven in the first-half of the season with head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy expecting a January exit.
‘I enjoyed watching him [at the World Cup] and he deserves this because of how he has behaved, how he has continued to work and continued to perform,’ the former United striker said.
‘I was able to help him from very close by and that makes me proud. And then I’ll give him his path when it comes.
‘If I have the choice, I prefer the summer, but it can also be now. You just know there comes a time when you can’t say no.’