Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen has 26 goals in 30 games for Galatasaray this season
There are strikers out there for Manchester United this summer, but making the numbers work and convincing A-list targets to sacrifice a season out of the Champions League will make almost every deal difficult.
The latter point might yet be moot if they win the Europa League in May, but either way, the elite strikers United would want to target will want to see Ruben Amorim lay out a clear path towards success. Part of that plan will be refreshing this squad, which compromises the funds available this summer.
Viktor Gyokeres might be Amorim's ideal target after their success together at Sporting and the idea of a gentleman's agreement that would allow him to leave for £63m is interesting, but competition might be fierce for the Swede. The other player likely to top the list of proven goalscorers is Victor Osimhen, who will be allowed to leave Napoli this summer and is scoring freely for Galatasaray, reminding suitors of his quality in front of goal.
After that, there are targets that might be a little cheaper and more attainable, such as Liam Delap, Jonathan David, Hugo Ekitike, and Dusan Vlahovic. But Amorim will want the best, and that will represent a challenge.
Despite Rasmus Hojlund's recent hints at a return to form, signing another striker is a priority this summer. Joshua Zirkzee is better as a No. 10 and could yet be sold if there is interest in him. Hojlund could revert to being a squad option rather than the striker tasked with taking on the burden of being the main man.
There have been reports of offering Hojlund to Napoli as a makeweight to land Osimhen, who has fallen out with Napoli bosses. However, this would still leave Amorim short of strikers. And there is a more obvious solution if United were to look for a swap deal anyway.
Napoli made a bid to sign Alejandro Garnacho in January but didn't get close to United's demands, but it's an issue that could be revisited this summer. They need another wide reinforcement after selling Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris St-Germain in the winter.
Garnacho has started to find some form and regular football under Amorim, but he is being used as a No. 10 rather than a winger, and this squad is well-stocked for those positions behind the striker in the head coach's 3-4-2-1 system.
So, using one of many No. 10s as part of a deal to land a No. 9 you are desperate for might make sense, but letting Garnacho leave won't be a palatable option for many supporters. He might not have spent his entire youth career at the club, but United developed Garnacho when he was 16, and his performances in the run to the FA Youth Cup in 2022 established a close bond.
There was an outcry when it was revealed that United would consider selling in January, with Napoli keener to test the club's resolve than Chelsea. Maybe it would be different if Garnacho's departure meant Osimhen's arrival.
The Nigerian striker's career record of 140 goals in 253 appearances is excellent, and he would feel like the kind of elite-level striker United have been crying out for. However, to achieve that deal, there might have to be some disappointment involved as well.
---
Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
And finally, if you’d rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.