Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is attracting interest from a number of top European clubs, with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain leading the race for his signature. The 24-year-old Nigerian has been in superb form this season, scoring 21 goals in 23 Serie A appearances and four goals in as many Champions League starts. Napoli are expecting a bidding war for Osimhen, who they will only sell for a club-record fee in excess of €100million (£88m).
United are reportedly looking at Osimhen as an alternative to Tottenham’s Harry Kane, with manager Erik ten Hag keen to bring in a proven goalscorer in the summer. PSG and Chelsea are also said to be interested in the striker. PSG sporting director Luis Campos has made Osimhen his top target for the summer, but may need to offer players such as Mauro Icardi and Leandro Paredes in a player-plus-cash swap deal to lower the financial outlay.
Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis is open to selling Osimhen and breakout star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia if suitable offers are made, particularly if they help deliver a long-awaited Scudetto before leaving. However, De Laurentiis is a notoriously tough negotiator and will only sell Osimhen for a fee in excess of €100million (£88m). PSG are reportedly struggling with Financial Fair Play constraints and may need to get creative to secure the striker.
Osimhen has not rejected PSG’s advances and is open to moving back to Ligue 1, but his preference would be a move to the Premier League. United are in a better position to meet Napoli’s asking price, which could give them an advantage over PSG. The fact that Osimhen is five years younger than Kane also makes him an attractive proposition for United.
While United are also reportedly looking at other strikers such as Kane, Osimhen would likely be a far easier deal to secure than negotiating with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy. Napoli are expecting a bidding war for their top scorer, who has been in unstoppable form this season. It remains to be seen which club will come out on top in the race for Osimhen’s signature.