Although attention is already shifting to the summer transfer window, Manchester United still has a lot to play for this season with Champions League qualifying still up in the air and an upcoming FA Cup final duel with rivals Manchester City.

There have been rumours that the Red Devils are interested in Napoli wonder Victor Osimhen in addition to Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane in order to find a long-term, number nine solution. Center-forward appears to be one position that manager Erik ten Hag is anxious to address ahead of next season.

The most recent rumour suggests that United may have selected Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, one of Osimhen’s Serie A-winning teammates, as a potential target, adding to the assumption that the former Ajax manager is also looking to strengthen his midfield ranks.

The Old Trafford club, along with Spurs, are reportedly interested in signing the former Fulham player this summer, according to a recent report from Napoli Calcio story Live. The 27-year-old only joined his current team on a permanent basis last year after spending the 2021–2022 season on loan in Naples.

However, as the article points out, the Italian champions are probably in a strong negotiating position given the possibility of a two-year extension on the player’s current contract, which expires in 2025, even though United are ready to make a ‘major offer’ to facilitate a transfer.

Would Zambo Anguissa make a wise addition to Man United’s roster?

Due to his crucial role in guiding Luciano Spalletti’s team to Scudetto triumph, the 6 foot “monster” — as journalist Raj Chohan dubbed him — has undoubtedly earned such interest. He has scored twice and recorded four assists in 33 league starts to date.

The former Craven Cottage star has been especially outstanding because of his ball-winning skills. In particular, this season in Serie A, he has averaged 1.5 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game. He has also been a commanding presence in the air, having won a strong 61% of his aerial duels.

The Cameroonian international, who CIES Football Observatory estimates to be worth around £26 million, may prove to be the perfect replacement for Federico Valverde, another player who has been mentioned as a potential target for Manchester United. The Real Madrid star has recently been linked to a move to the Theatre of Dreams.

Valverde-Man-United-Anguissa-Premier-League-transfer
Anguissa might be Ten Hag’s answer to the Bernabeu ace, although the 24-year-old is unlikely to be acquired cheaply given rumours that his current contract contains a €1 billion (£856 million) release clause. The pair are reported to have a number of statistical and stylistic similarities, according to FBref.

With the £59k-per-week Napoli player accruing 51 progressive carries and 164 progressive passes, while Valverde has recorded 69 and 145 for the same two metrics, respectively, the duo’s similar ability to drive forward from deep and spark attacks with incisive forward passes serves as evidence of this.

To be likened to the latter player—whom talent evaluator Jacek Kulig has also called a “monster”—is a sign of Anguissa’s possibly underappreciated skill, as Valverde was lauded as one of the top three players “in the world right now” by teammate Toni Kroos earlier in the season.

It would be a tremendous triumph for United if Ten Hag were to acquire the Cameroonian star in an effort to counter the Madrid player.