The latest Manchester United transfer news as Ruben Amorim's side look set to miss out on a key transfer 'target'
Manchester United continue to be linked with a summer transfer swoop for Victor Osimhen who spent last season on loan with Galatasaray. (Photo by Hakan Akgun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Manchester United continue to be linked with a summer transfer swoop for Victor Osimhen who spent last season on loan with Galatasaray. (Photo by Hakan Akgun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Manchester United's pursuit of a new striker took another surprising twist on Sunday when news broke regarding Arsenal's advanced talks with Viktor Gyokeres.
Both United and the Gunners are in the market for a new centre forward this summer and the Swedish striker was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford and reunion with former Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim.
Amorim signed the 27-year-old from Coventry City in the summer of 2023 and his record in front of goal has been nothing short of sensational since his move to Lisbon. Gyokeres has scored an incredible 97 goals in 102 matches since joining the club, making him one of Europe's most sought after transfers.
However, despite the speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford this summer, the Swedish striker looks poised to join the Gunners with the Athletic claiming Mikel Arteta's side are closing in on a deal though a deal has not yet been agreed between the two clubs.
United are still expected to bolster their forward line but will now have to look for alternative transfers to fill that goal scoring void. The club have been repeatedly linked with a move for Victor Osimhen this summer, with the Nigerian striker set to leave Napoli after falling out with the club last summer.
But what's the latest on his future? The Manchester Evening News has taken a look at the latest links with United.
Napoli stance and asking price
Last month Gazzetta dello Sport claimed that Napoli CEO Aurelio de Laurentiis wants interested parties to trigger the €75m [£64.7m] release clause in Osimhen's current contract, despite not being part of Antonio Conte's plans.
Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal are understood to have held talks with the Nigerian's entourage but Osimhen has reportedly rejected a move.
The report claimed United could negotiate a deal with Napoli that would potentially see Alejandro Garnacho or Joshua Zirkzee head to the Italian champions, with Osimhen heading to Old Trafford in a swap deal plus a financial agreement.
However, since then, there have been very few reports linking the Nigerian with a move to United.
Galatasaray pursuit
Osimhen spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals in all competitions to help them win the Turkish Super Lig and the Turkish Cup.
The Turkish club have reportedly made a contract offer in the region of €16 million a year in an attempt to sign a permanent deal - a reported €3million wage rise compared to his current Napoli deal - equating to £13.5 million a year, worth around £260,000 a week.
Speaking last month, Galatasaray vice-president, Abdullah Kavukcu said: "Osimhen must decide as soon as possible. He always asks us for time, we respect that, he has a family too, but time runs out.
"We have made a much higher offer than other European clubs and at the moment we are not negotiating other strikers. We are not thinking about plan B, we want Osimhen . We have already spoken to Napoli too .
"Our goal is to build a team that can compete with teams from all over the world, not just in Turkey. We must be patient. We are working day and night."
Man United striker stance
The Manchester Evening News understands that United want to sign a new forward this summer having missed out on Liam Delap earlier on in the window. The former Manchester City striker made the move to Chelsea after the Blues triggered his relegation release clause.
United have been linked with various other strikers like Osimhen, Ollie Watkins, Hugo Ekitike and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, though a lot will depend on money they're able to recoup from outgoing transfers.
The club are still working on a deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford as Amorim looks so strengthen his squad ahead of next season.
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