The January transfer window officially slammed shut at the start of this month and it was a fairly busy month for Manchester United, with ins and outs at Old Trafford.
It was Ruben Amorim's first chance to shape the squad in his vision, after he came in to replace Erik ten Hag, and he added two new players to his squad.
ruben amorim-2
Patrick Dorgu came in on a permanent deal from Lecce to bolster the manager's options in the wing-back positions, whilst 18-year-old centre-back Ayden Heaven joined from Premier League rivals Arsenal.
The bulk of Manchester United's business was, however, centred around outgoings as they were able to move on a number of players during the winter window.
Youngsters Dan Gore and Ethan Wheatley both secured loan exits for the second half of the season, whilst Marcus Rashford, Tyrell Malacia, and Antony were also sent away on loan after failing to convince Amorim that they were ready to be important to the team.
The Red Devils, though, already have one eye on the summer transfer window at the end of the campaign, as they have reportedly identified a target to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.
Manchester United plotting bid for new striker
Manchester United have struggled to get goals out of their strikers in the Premier League this season. Rasmus Holjund and Joshua Zirkzee have combined for five goals in the top-flight so far.
Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee with manager Ruben Amorim after being substituted
This shows that Amorim is not getting enough out of his two senior centre-forwards at this moment in time, which may be why the club are now looking to bring in another player in that position.
According to GIVEMESPORT, Manchester United are eyeing up Napoli number nine Victor Osimhen ahead of a summer swoop for the Nigeria international.
The report claims that they are set to make a summer bid for the impressive marskman, who is currently on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray, as they would like to improve their options in the striker position.
Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen is picture wearing a protective face mask
It adds that the United board are planning to hold talks over a possible deal for the former Lille centre-forward, as it has been 'made clear' that he does not have a future at Napoli beyond the end of his loan spell in Turkey.
GIVEMESPORT adds that the club are also set to make a decision on whether or not to keep hold of Holjund and Zirkzee in the summer window, which suggests that there is still a chance that one, or both, of them could move on ahead of next season.
FFC Header Transfer Focus
Transfer Focus
The outlet reveals that Osimhen's release clause at Napoli is set to drop to £63m in the summer, but it remains to be seen whether or not the Red Devils are prepared to bid at that price or if they will look to negotiate a cheaper deal.
Amorim should, though, push for the club to secure a deal for the striker because he could come in as the perfect addition for Amad Diallo next term.
Amad Diallo's form for Manchester United this season
The Ivory Coast international has finally emerged as a regular starter at Old Trafford and has carried the team on his back at times this season with his brilliance at the top end of the pitch.
amad-diallo-uniyed
Amad, who previously spent time on loan at Glasgow Rangers and Sunderland, has racked up nine goals and seven assists in all competitions from a right wing or right wing-back position.
The 22-year-old star has been utilised in a wing-back role by Amorim at times this season and his attacking output in that position has been exceptional, as shown in the chart below.
[FBCharts] Amad Diallo
Amad has proven that he has the quality to provide a big threat in the final third as both a scorer and a creator of goals, with six goals and six assists in 17 starts in the Premier League so far this season.
The former Atalanta starlet is a striker's dream because he takes up great positions to be passed to in the final third, whilst also being able to create high-quality chances for his teammates, as shown by his assist tally.
Why Victor Osimhen would be perfect for Amad Diallo
Manchester United could find the perfect centre-forward for Amad by paying £63m to sign Osimhen on a permanent deal from Napoli in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old striker is a proven goalscorer, who can also assist his teammates, and he has showcased his quality in a major European league in Italy, with 15 goals in the Serie A in the 2023/24 campaign and 26 league goals in the previous season.
Osimhen, once dubbed a "monster" by data analyst Ben Mattinson, found the back of the net on a regular basis for Napoli in the Italian top-flight, which suggests that he has the quality to make the most of Amad's creativity at Old Trafford.
That has been backed up by his impressive form for Galatasaray on loan in Turkey during the 2024/25 campaign, as he has continued to shine as an exceptional goalscoring force and as a creative presence in the number nine position.
Victor Osimhen (24/25) Super Lig Europa League
Appearances 16 6
Shots per game 4.6 7.0
Goals 12 5
Big chances created 10 1
Assists 4 1
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Osimhen has racked up an eye-catching 17 goals and 11 'big chances' created in 22 appearances for the Turkish giants.
He is perfect for Amad because he can finish the chances that the winger creates whilst also being able to assist the Ivorian star with his own creativity, as also evidenced by his relationship with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at Napoli.
The former Napoli duo were both directly involved in the same goal 15 times in 50 matches in the Serie A, which shows that Osimhen can create a fantastic relationship with a winger who can also score and assist goals at an impressive rate.
Therefore, the Nigerian marksman could come in as the perfect signing for Amad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, which is why United must splash the cash to land his signature in the summer transfer window.
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