Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has put a new No 9 at the top of his summer recruitment plans following the explosive departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although the Dutchman acquired Wout Weghorst on loan in the January transfer window as a stopgap until the end of the season, United are in desperate need of a proven goalscorer if they are to challenge for the title next year.
Ten Hag has so far had to rely on an injury-prone Anthony Martial and Weghorst to lead the line in United’s three-pronged attack this season.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed that United are interested in swooping in for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, while £107m-rated Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has also emerged as an option to lead the line next season.
While most fans would be immediately drawn to Premier League-proven Kane, Sportsmail looks at the stats behind who Ten Hag should splash the cash on this summer.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane© Provided by Daily Mail
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen© Provided by Daily Mail
Man United boss Erik ten Hag has put a new No 9 at the top of his summer recruitment plans© Provided by Daily Mail
Before delving into the statistics that separate the two stars, Man United will no doubt be looking at the fact that Osimhen is five years younger than 29-year-old Kane.
The Napoli star is just 24-years-old and could definitely be a younger, more long-term option for the No 9 spot at Old Trafford.
Osimhen is also no doubt the quicker No 9 out of the two, racking up a top speed of 34.3 km/h in the Champions League this season compared to Kane’s 31.5 km/h.
Across this season, Kane has played – and started – 30 games for Spurs, while Osimhen has been utilised from the get go in 18 out of 21 matches.
The England captain also tends to play all 90 minutes while Osimhen averages 76-per-game, which will certainly be looked at by Ten Hag and his scouts.
There’s no denying that the two strikers are prolific in front of goal, which was exemplified by Kane becoming Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer with a well-taken finish against United’s rivals Man City on Sunday.
In fact, there is very little between the two forwards this season with Kane racking up 19 goals and three assists in all competitions this season, while Serie A top-scorer Osimhen has 17 and three respectively.
Interestingly though, the Napoli star averages just 30.4 touches per goal, while Kane makes 62.4. Osimhen also scores around every 94 minutes – almost every game – while it usually takes Kane 140 minutes to find the net.
Manchester United may well take into account that Osimhen is still only 24-years-old while Kane is 29© Provided by Daily Mail
The always reliable Harry Kane averages 90 minutes-per-game and has converted more than half of his big chances this season© Provided by Daily Mail
Osmihen’s finishing prowess was epitomised by his emphatic volley against Roma at the end of January.
He showed both skill and strength to chest the ball down in a crowded area and tee himself up with his knee before firing home into the roof of the net past a helpless Rui Patricio in goal.
When it comes to taking chances, it would appear Kane is the man every manager would want going through on goal.
The 29-year-old has converted more than half of his big chances (54.2 per cent) this season while Osimhen has scored 45.2 per cent of his.
The Nigerian international has also missed 17 big chances this season compared to Kane’s 11. It is worth noting that across the last two seasons, Osimhen has actually converted more big chances (58.1 per cent) than Kane (50.9 per cent).
Kane or Osimhen? The stats behind who Ten Hag should sign in summer© Provided by Daily Mail
Harry Kane’s statistics this season© Provided by Daily Mail
Victor Osimhen’s statistics this season© Provided by Daily Mail
Ten Hag will certainly want a No 9 who can create as well as score and the stats suggest that Kane is more involved in games.
In fact, since the start of the 2021-22 season, Kane has created a staggering 87 chances to Osimhen’s 35. Meanwhile this season, the England striker has created almost triple the number of chances (11) than Osimhen (four).
He is also more heavily involved in games, racking up 953 successful passes to Osimhen’s 370 across the last two seasons.
It remains to be seen who Ten Hag will recruit this summer but Osimhen is no doubt a strong contender with the stats hammering home how explosive he is in front of goal.
However, the overall ability Kane shows – not only as a finisher but someone who can consistently link up play – could prove too much of a temptation for Ten Hag.
