Life is anything but simple at Manchester United at the moment. The damning reality of their failure to land Champions League football hit home this week when Sporting striker Viktor Gyokores rejected a move to the club.
The Swede had been billed as the man to add the clinical edge that has clearly been lacking from Ruben Amorim’s team. Not addressing that department is simply not an option for the Portuguese boss if he is to fulfil his goal of getting United to challenge the elite again. That reality will remain considerably far away for as long as Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee are charged with leading the line.
However, one potential game-changer remains on the market. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is in limbo following his loan spell at Galatasaray. After falling out with new boss Antonio Conte, a move to Turkey was considered a fall from grace for a striker previously touted for a £100million-plus move to the Premier League.
In his absence, the Gli Azzurri secured a second Serie A title in three seasons. However, Osimhen’s temporary switch proved anything but a career stall, scoring 37 times in 41 games and inspiring his club to a domestic crown of their own.
Speculation of a move to Saudi Arabia is mounting. Amorim and United surely now have to intercept this potential waste of a transfer and bring the man Jose Mourinho once described as “world class” to Old Trafford.
Osimhen not only boasts the finishing power badly lacking in Amorim’s ranks but also variety in attack. Powerful, quick, and strong in the air, not to mention a willingness to press and work hard that is now imperative in the Premier League, he would thrive off the creativity of Bruno Fernandes.
At 26, and out of contract in 12 months, this would not fall under United’s usual category of signing big-name players on inflated fees when past their prime. Osimhen signifies a long-term solution, and not a short-term fix.
The inevitable sales of Rashford, Hojlund, and Alejandro Garnacho would go a long way towards funding a deal. Unlikely so many who have arrived at Carrington post the Sir Alex Ferguson era, a lavish fee, and wages, for Osimhen should prove money well spent.