Victor Osimhen, a goal machine for Napoli, may now only be available to Manchester United due to his reported interest in joining the Premier League.

According to Simon Jones’ story for the Daily Mail, Erik ten Hag is “eyeing” a £130 million deal for Victor Osimhen, which suggests that Manchester United may be the frontrunner to sign him this summer.

The Nigerian forward’s sensational play during Napoli’s championship-winning season has piqued a tonne of interest from throughout Europe. Osimhen has scored 28 goals and contributed five assists this season using a variety of techniques, including strong headers, deft finishes, and partnerships with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Christian Pulisic, an American player who is up for sale this summer and is being pursued by a number of Italian teams, including Napoli, has become the subject of a transfer fight between United and Chelsea.

Football: FA Cup Final, Chelsea vs. Liverpool, May 14, 2022, Wembley Stadium, London, United Kingdom Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool and Christian Pulisic of Chelsea engage in combat Motion Pictures via Peter Cziborra of Reuters
Jones claims that “Napoli’s interest (in Pulisic) could add extra spice” to the competition to sign Osimhen, but the Serie A club is asking for a mouth-watering sum of money to part with the striker. At United and Chelsea, “the consensus” is that he will cost about £130 million.

According to reports, Bayern Munich is already having issues with that number and has shifted its attention to Randal Kolo Muani. While Chelsea is being investigated by Financial Fair Play, the Blues will attempt to cut costs by utilising Romelu Lukaku in a trade, but United is the only team mentioned as a contender without a financial problem.

Osimhen would be a more financially straightforward signing for the Glazers, but it would still be a significant financial commitment to make for one player. This would limit their ability to invest in other players, but it would significantly increase their offensive potential.

If Manchester United acquired Victor Osimhen, how might they organise?

If ten Hag acquired Osimhen this summer, his offence would be quite strong. This year, Marcus Rashford has fully developed and is overpowering defenders in 1v1 situations by skipping past fullbacks with his speed and agility. Most importantly, he has raised the bar for his entire game.

The Englishman has a total of 29 goals and 11 assists, and with the possibility that Antony can get better next season, United is just a top-tier centre forward away from a very dangerous assault.

Football, Serie A, United States, February 17, 2023, Mapei Stadium, Citta del Tricolore, Reggio Emilia, Italy, Sassuolo vs. Napoli Victor Osimhen of Napoli celebrates their second goal. Jennifer Lorenzini for Reuters
With so many lethal alternatives available to him, Bruno Fernandes would probably thrive, making Osimhen the ideal player for ten Hag. After the Nigerian forward scored to give Napoli a 1-0 lead in 2021, Cagliari manager Walter Mazzarri lauded him, underlining a quality that would be extremely helpful to United.

“Osimhen is phenomenal because he runs alone at five players and gets through,” Mazzarri said, according to a report from Football Italia on DAZN.

“I didn’t see that many genuine scoring opportunities compared to the number Napoli created recently,” the player said.

According to Fbref, Osimhen has non-penalty goals that are in the 99th percentile and shots on goal that are in the 97th percentile. He is an expert at setting up goalscoring opportunities from nothing by darting into danger zones and ramming his way past defenders. If he signed with United, it would be extremely difficult for any teams vying for the 2023–24 Premier League championship.