REVEALED: What Osimhen told Man Utd after January transfer agreement

Tom Weber

Updated: 18 Feb 2025 03:44 CST
3 min read

Victor Osimhen told Manchester United in January that he would be open to joining them in the summer, according to Turkish media.

The Nigerian superstar ended his two-game scoring drought for Galatasaray with a crucial brace against Rizespor to seal an important 2-1 win on Monday.

Article continues under the video

It took his goal tally for the Istanbul giants to 19 in 24 appearances. Together with his five assists, it means that Osimhen is currently firing at a rate of one goal contribution per game, confirming his status as one of Europe's most potent attackers.

With a permanent signing proving impossible for Galatasaray, Osimhen is expected to leave the side in the summer and return to parent club Napoli ahead of a big transfer elsewhere.

His destination remains unclear at this point, but Man Utd have been heavily linked with the 26-year-old. Indeed, on Sunday, it was claimed that they had made a verbal offer for the striker and that they have informed Napoli of their willingness to pay his €75 million release clause.

Osimhen to Man Utd in the summer?

Now, Turkish journalist Ali Naci Kucuk claims that Man Utd and Napoli actually had an agreement already in January only for Osimhen to make it clear to the Red Devils that he won't leave Galatasaray mid-season.

“I promised [to stay at Galatasaray]," Kucuk quotes Osimhen as saying. "After I finish the season [I will move]!” This aligns with Osimhen's public statements in the build-up to the bygone transfer window in which he repeatedly insisted that he would see out the campaign in Istanbul.

However, whether Man Utd will be able to sign Osimhen in the summer is doubtful. The Nigerian is on a significant wage and has so far shown no inclination to take a pay cut, while the club's expected lack of Champions League football is likely unappealing.

Moreover, Man Utd have serious financial problems and are looking to cut costs everywhere. Unless they manage to pull off some lucrative sales in the summer, they will not be able to afford Osimhen or any top striker for that matter.