For what feels like a good few seasons, Victor Osimhen’s name has been inescapable during summer transfers. Every year there’s a new wave of rumours. And every window, there’s a new list of suitors. So far, Nigeria’s greatest striker of his generation has confounded everyone trying to predict his next move. However, could this summer be different to the rest?
Where Things Stand
Galatasaray completed the permanent signing of Osimhen from Napoli last summer for €75 million. It’s the most expensive incoming transfer in Turkish football history, with the then-26-year-old penning a four-year deal worth in the region of €16 million per year.
The Nigerian forward repaid the faith the club had in him when initially taking him on loan before making the move permanent by scoring 15 goals in 22 Super Lig appearances last season, 22 across all competitions in 33 outings. His form for Galatasaray in total has been outstanding, and it’s that goalscoring impact that has reignited the conversation about whether a move back to one of Europe’s major leagues could be on the cards.
The Manchester United Question
United’s interest in Osimhen is nothing new. They’ve been circling for a number of seasons, and with the club looking to bolster their squad this summer, they could reignite their interest in the former Napoli star. Osimhen is likely on a list that also features the likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace and potentially even Robert Lewandowski, who will leave Barcelona shortly.
United head into the transfer window in a strong position after securing Champions League football following a revival under Michael Carrick. Football betting odds suggest a successful season is on the cards, and if the club were to sign a player of Osimhen’s ilk, it would only boost United’s chances of success on multiple fronts.
The Problem: Galatasaray Don’t Want to Sell
The main obstacle is that Galatasaray don’t want to sell. It’s been repeatedly stated that there is no release clause in Osimhen’s contract, so the Turkish outfit will be able to demand a fee that suits them. Reports suggest they’d be looking for a minimum of €100m to allow the striker to move on. But in the current climate, and with Napoli holding a sell-on clause, they could demand even more than that.
Who Else Is In The Race?
Beyond United, the queue for Osimhen’s signature will be thin due to the expected numbers involved. Bayern Munich are thought to be keen, with Vincent Kompany said to see Osimhen as a potential long-term replacement for Harry Kane. Chelsea have been long-term admirers, but even they are unlikely to come in at the required figures to make the deal happen.
Conclusion
At 27 years old, Osimhen is entering the peak of his powers as a striker in the modern game. He’s a proven goalscorer at the highest level, after firing Napoli to the Serie A title in his time there, so a return to one of Europe’s top five leagues wouldn’t be a surprise, especially with prolific goalscoring strikers being a rare commodity in this day and age. Manchester United are certainly in the hunt for one to compete with Benjamin Sesko, but at €100m plus and with the Nigerian tied down until 2029 with no release clause, it looks like a deal is a dead end for now.
