Manchester United’s market for potential strikers is thinning with Viktor Gyokeres’ move to Arsenal now imminent, and Victor Osimhen remains the only marquee name.
Victor Osimhen was once Man Utd’s dream striker target, but the lack of finances allowed other clubs to steal a march in the race for his signature.
Since then, United have mostly been the quiet onlookers as the Osimhen sweepstakes have shifted between Saudi Arabia and Galatasaray.
However, recent reports suggested that United were ready to strike late and big by hijacking a move for the Nigerian striker just as the Turkish club were inching closer to an agreement.
Fabrizio Romano has the latest on the same.
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Turkish Super League match between Galatasaray and Kayserispor on May 18, 2025
Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images
Man Utd’s Victor Osimhen transfer hijack truth
Considering United have been haggling over Bryan Mbeumo for more than a month, only the most fanciful Man Utd fans would have given United a chance of hijacking Osimhen.
However, the striker position does need urgent reinforcements, and the slight possibility of United pleading poverty only to strike when the iron is hot was too salivating to ignore completely.
Therefore, when reports emerged of a potential United hijack for Osimhen, the fans lapped it up immediately, as much in hope as in delusion!
Now, Fabrizio Romano has reported the ‘truth’ about these reports on his YouTube channel.
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He said: “Reports about Man Utd hijacking the deal of Galatasaray from Victor Osimhen, from what I’m told, this is not true.
“Osimhen is getting closer to joining Galatasaray. €75m deal. Now, Napoli have to give final approval. Galatasaray are getting closer after always being confident about signing Osimhen.
“New contacts will take place in the new week. Man Utd are not part of this story, not part of this conversation, also because Galatasaray will give Osimhen an important salary – €16m/season.
“Man Utd were never going to be at the table for those numbers in terms of salary. Forget about the hijack.”
Man Utd condemned themselves to this market
At this point, it is fair to say that losing the Europa League final was not a blessing in disguise, as much as the optimists would like to believe that it was.
For a club in United’s financial condition, they just don’t have the luxury of choosing more training time over being in a prestigious competition that transforms their bank account.
The effects of that loss are being felt every day as other clubs continue to sign players who United would have been favourites for with the Champions League tag and money.
The only reason why Mbeumo hasn’t been hijacked is because of his own firm desire to join Old Trafford, which was the same as Cunha’s.
Any other player who didn’t have a “United or nothing” mentality has moved elsewhere, which might be a good thing because it means the club are getting completely committed players.
However, the cost of putting the bar that high is that United are missing out on quality. Not everyone has to stay at United for life and live with the club in their heart.
Quality professionals are being lost out on because United are working with one hand tied behind their backs. They condemned themselves to this window with the loss in the Europa League final.