Manchester United will have to almost double the Premier League transfer record to sign a forward who is on the same level as Kylian Mbappe.
MAN UTD TOLD TO MAKE RECORD STRIKER BID
Erik ten Hag and Man Utd have found out how much they will need to pay to convince Napoli on selling talisman Victor Osimhen, amid the striker’s stunning form.
After bagging 18 goals in 32 matches last season, Osimhen has reached the next level this term. So far, his record stands at an impressive 17 goals from 21 games, with 16 of those strikes coming in Serie A.
Osimhen’s goals are a big reason why Napoli are leading the Italian title race. They have a 13-point lead on second-placed Inter after playing the same amount of matches and could win their first league title since the days of Diego Maradona.
Napoli would love to keep Osimhen for the long run, but they know Europe’s biggest teams are lurking for him. As such, they could be forced into a sale in the summer transfer window.
This will only happen if his potential suitors put up the right price. Recently, a report from ESPN claimed the Nigerian will cost £90million.
Man Utd are among the clubs chasing Osimhen’s signature, with The Telegraph stating he is on Ten Hag’s striker shortlist alongside Harry Kane.
Signing Osimhen for £90m would see Man Utd only just eclipse their record signing, which is the £89m they spent on Paul Pogba in 2016. However, there has now been a big suggestion Osimhen will cost way more than £90m.
Journalist Bruno Gentili reckons the Red Devils should have to pay an astonishing €200m (£178m) for the 24-year-old attacker this summer. That would see Man Utd almost double the current Prem transfer record, which is Chelsea’s £107m deal for Enzo Fernandez.
Napoli must ‘watch out for Man Utd’
“Watch out for Manchester United for Victor, may the assault never come. For me the Nigerian is worth €200m,” Gentili declared on Italian station Radio Kiss Kiss (via Calcio Napoli).
Fellow Italian reporter Paolo de Paola took the Osimhen valuation a step further, while also comparing Napoli’s star man to Paris Saint-Germain goalscorer Kylian Mbappe.
“Osimhen is worth at least €300m (£267m),” De Paola said. “I don’t see any huge differences between him and Mbappe. On the contrary, Osimhen places himself more at the disposal of the team and his teammates.”
Whatever price tag Napoli hand Osimhen, Man Utd chiefs will aim to negotiate it down. Saving money will help them to improve other positions, such as goalkeeper or right-back.
Spending a reduced fee on Osimhen will also help to lessen the pressure on his shoulders, should he move to Old Trafford. if he became the most expensive player of all time, then this would send expectations among fans sky high.
Instead, Man Utd will hope they can get Osimhen for less than £100m, and potentially under the fee they paid for Pogba, too.
Source: teamtalk
