Victor Osimhen to Man Utd: Fabrizio Romano gives encouraging update

Robin Bairner

• 8 May 2023 14:36 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester United remain interested in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, despite the Serie A champions insisting that he will remain at the club.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Old Trafford side are still following the 24-year-old , who he claims is “not off the market”, despite words to the contrary from Napoli supremo Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Speaking to Rai Sport on Saturday, De Laurentiis replied when asked if the Nigeria international striker could be sold: “I will not sell Victor Osimhen this summer - no way!”

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Romano, speaking to the United Stand, has been informed that the situation remains fluid and that a deal for the 28-goal forward could be done in the summer.

“The reality is that Osimhen and his team are looking at options for the right move,” the transfer market specialist explained.

Romano, though, did highlight a couple of potential problems with regards Manchester United making a move, most notably the uncertainty over the club’s ownership.

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With the takeover still in process, no one knows who will be in charge of the club come the summer transfer window, with manager Erik ten Hag having grown frustrated over his lack of knowledge over his transfer budget.

Meanwhile, Osimhen will not come cheap. Reports suggest that he could cost up to €150m – making him one of the most expensive players ever. FootballTransfers’ estimated valuation of him is €70m.

Romano’s information is that he might not cost quite that much, but that Napoli are certainly wanting a Serie A record fee for the player. The current mark stands at the €120m that Inter recouped from Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku.

If Osimhen does leave Napoli, it will likely be in late July or early August, with Ten Hag eager to get his business done before then in an ideal world.

Man Utd’s other striking options

Romano explained that Man Utd’s other options in attack are somewhat limited at the moment.

Randal Kolo-Muani will be a difficult race for them to win, despite having already held talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over a possible move. Again, this relates to the uncertainty over the takeover but also the fact that Bayern Munich are more advanced in the race, with a deal likely to be done in a matter of weeks.

Any move for Rasmus Hojlund, meanwhile, is not as advanced. Romano states that at present, Man Utd are simply scouting the Red Bull Salzburg forward.

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