According to writer Dean Jones, Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag will analyze how his team shapes up before making a decision on Victor Osimhen.
Throughout the summer, the Red Devils were linked with a move for the 23-year-old Napoli star, but a formal offer did not materialize as they prioritized other signings.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Italian site CDS recently revealed that the Azzurri were willing to let Osimhen join United on loan if certain requirements were met.
It’s claimed that Napoli was insisting any deal for the Nigeria international included an obligation to buy him for €100 million (£86m) at the end of it and they received Cristiano Ronaldo on loan.
That has left the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as arguably Erik ten Hag’s only out-and-out striker in his first-team squad following the departure of Edinson Cavani on a free transfer.
It’s a position that the Dutch tactician may be eager to address when the market reopens for business in January, but only time will tell if Ten Hag identifies Osimhen as his number one target.
Jones has informed GiveMeSport that Osimhen was a ‘club target’ rather than someone who Ten Hag put forward and that the tactician will assess his side ahead of the winter window.
In an interview with GMS, he said: “I think he was a club target as much as anything that Ten Hag proposed.
“Now he’ll get the chance to see how this team shapes up into the January window and then assess what kind of striker he needs.”
Osimhen has established himself as one of the most promising young strikers in European football since moving to Napoli, registering 30 goals and 10 assists in 66 appearances across all competitions.
The 6 foot 1 ace has even been valued at a whopping £102m in some reports following his outstanding displays for club and country, showcasing just how highly he is regarded.
Osimhen still has three years remaining on his Napoli contract, though, so prizing him away from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was always going to be a difficult task for any potential suitor this summer.
Yet he could come onto the market in 12 months’ time, and United may be at the front of the queue for his signature.
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