Galatasaray centre-forward Victor Osimhen
Galatasaray centre-forward Victor Osimhen
Manchester United find themselves in an unenviable scenario in the summer transfer window which they hoped they would avoid.
Since losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final, United have moved into a position whereby they need to compromise on their plans for the summer. Had they qualified for the Champions League, the market suddenly becomes open for the Reds and they become a more enticing proposition.
Now, having lost that final, United are in a situation where they are having to rely on reputation and players wishing to join the cause, to rebuild the club. This is how they managed to sign Matheus Cunha and it could be how Bryan Mbeumo decides he will move to Old Trafford.
However, the club is unlikely to find it this easy to complete a move for a centre-forward this summer. We all know that there is an abundance of No.10s in world football but there is now a severe lack of No.9s.
This is by no means a new phenomenon - no club has ever wanted to let go a No.9 who knows where the back of the net is. These days, United cannot even use their wealth to sign the next best striker like they did with Dimitar Berbatov and Robin van Persie.
Therefore, when a player like Victor Osimhen is as good as telling you to make a bid for him, United would be crazy to ignore that. Journalists Ben Jacobs and Fabrizio Romano both reported on Sunday evening that Osimhen has decided to reject a lucrative offer from Al Hilal this summer.
Despite the Saudi Pro League club agreeing a £63m transfer with Napoli, Osimhen decided not to agree personal terms with the Middle East club. This rejection of Al Hilal is a huge signal that the striker wants to remain in Europe, competing at the highest level.
If he was solely looking to make exceptional amounts of money, he would have accepted Al Hilal's offer. If Osimhen wanted move to Galatasaray, that deal could have been struck by now as the Turkish club have been trying desperately to convince him to make his stay permanent.
Now, it is up to United to put forward an alternative to him. Beyond the two clubs mentioned above, there are a lack of options currently on the table for Osimhen.
Yes, United cannot offer the Champions League but they can offer him the opportunity to play for one of the world's biggest clubs in the most competitive top league on the planet. Surely it is worth at least attempting to sign a player that has scored 37 goals this season.
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