All signs point towards Manchester United signing a centre-forward in the summer.
Although Marcus Rashford is having his best season yet, scoring 24 goals to date, it is clear that Erik ten Hag lacks depth in the strikers department.
Wout Weghorst arrived on loan in January and Anthony Martial has struggled with fitness since the beginning of the season. That’s not to forget the drama Cristiano Ronaldo caused during the first-half of the season, which subsequently led to his contract being terminated.
According to a recent report from the Telegraph, Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen are the two targets Ten Hag will choose between. We know that Spurs are difficult to deal with when it comes to selling to a domestic rival, while Napoli are renowned for being tough negotiators.
It would be fair to estimate that both players would cost United north of £100m.
Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, recently opened the door to such sales, though. He said: “I am very good at making contracts, so when they come to me, they are blocked, so keeping them here won’t be difficult,” said De Laurentiis.
“However, I will never say never. Sometimes there are offers you can’t refuse, so you never know. To me, though, I hope we’ll see them shine for a long time.”
These comments could have referred to three players currently on Napoli’s books: Osimhen, Irving Lozano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Osimhen, who is apparently one of our targets, is having an incredible season as Napoli race to Serie A success. He has bagged 18 goals and four assists across 19 Serie A matches this term. An unmatched tally in the Italian top division this season.
Il Mattino carry quotes from Osimhen himself and he has left the door open to a transfer.
“When you do so well it is normal that the best clubs look at you,” said Osimhen. “Attracting their interest gives me the motivation to do more for me and for my team.
“I’m only focused on Napoli, they have the last word. At the end of the year we’ll see what happens, but it’s not up to me. It belongs to the company.”
The report goes on to state that a bid worth £123m would be needed to secure Osimhen’s transfer in the summer, which would break the British transfer record set just last month by Chelsea – when the Blues splashed out £106.8m on Argentina international Enzo Fernandez.
This move would be warmly received at Tottenham because it would mean United are shifting their focus away from club captain Kane.
Only time will tell.
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Harry Kane is to slow and getting to old. He wouldn’t keep up with Maguire never mind Rashford, Antony and Sancho. Look elsewhere for a striker. At the moment Victor Osimhen is the best choice. Still has youth and energy on his side.