Man United need an established goalscorer this summer and few are better qualified than Napoli ace Victor Osimhen.
Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring for Galatasaray.
Victor Osimhen is a seasoned marksman.(Image: Isa Terli/Anadolu via Getty Images.)
After three prolific seasons on the spin with Napoli, Victor Osimhen continued to do what he does best out on loan at Galatasaray this term, plundering a career-best 36 goals in a single season.
Osimhen, 26, joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan deal last September after falling out with Napoli boss Antonio Conte and he was considered as something of a coup for the Turkish giant.
Of his 36 goals, 25 of them were netted in the Super Lig, earning Galatasaray a whopping 21 points. Without them, Galatasaray would have surrendered their crown to Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce, who finished 11 points behind in second.
Many will be quick to suggest that the Turkish Super Lig is not the most challenging of leagues in Europe and has been a dumping ground for Premier League talent in recent years.
Osimhen, though, has established himself as a seasoned goalscorer, scoring 84 goals in the last three seasons for Napoli and Galatasaray combined. He scored 26 goals in Serie A in 2022/23 to deliver Napoli their first league title since 1990.
Prior to moving to Italy in 2020, Osimhen enjoyed a respectable first and only season at French side Lille, scoring 18 times to help them secure a top four finish in Ligue 1.
A consistent source of goals for six seasons, Osimhen has established himself as an elite-level striker. Manchester United considered signing him two summers ago and, regrettably, went for Rasmus Hojlund instead.
Osimhen is well above Hojlund's station and his record in front of goal proves that. He is also four years his senior and has won major honours, including two league titles.
Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring for Galatasaray.
Victor Osimhen is a prolific goalscorer.
(Image: Hakan Akgun/Anadolu via Getty Images.)
After recording a minus goal deficit in each of the last two Premier League campaigns, United cannot afford to take another gamble on potential this summer, hence why moving for Liam Delap always carried a huge element of risk.
In Osimhen, United would be sourcing a proven goalscorer who has delivered the goods at whatever club he has played for. It is a striker of his calibre they need.
The elephant in the room, of course, is that United cannot offer any prospective signings European football for next season. Osimhen played in the Europa League for Galatasaray this season, scoring six goals, and had played in the Champions League for two consecutive seasons with Napoli prior to that.
However, the Nigerian, who is entering his prime years, has previously outlined his hunger to play in the Premier League, describing it as a "dream" back in 2023 - a time when both United and Chelsea were being heavily linked with him.
"I think playing in one of the top five leagues in the world (Serie A) is an amazing feeling for me," Osimhen said in March 2023.
"A lot of people worldwide consider the Premier League as the best and the strongest league but now I'm in one of the best leagues in the world which is the Italian Serie A.
Victor Osimhen in action for Napoli in 2023.
Victor Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli this summer.
(Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)
"I'm working so hard to make sure that I achieve my dream of playing in the Premier League someday but, like I said, it's a process and I just want to keep on this momentum and continue to do well."
With no European football to offer next season, United could find it challenging to attract the level of talent head coach Ruben Amorim craves. However, if Osimhen is still as hungry to play in England, he may be willing to give up European football for a season and make it his mission to take United back to the Champions League.
If United are to swoop for him, he would be signed to spearhead their attack, making him a guaranteed starter.
If United sell Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho this summer, the money raised from those sales would be enough to put a package together to try and land Osimhen.
Signing a proven goalscorer is a non-negotiable for United this summer, and Osimhen can deliver the guarantee of goals they so desperately need.