Manchester United are rivalling Chelsea for Victor Osimhen this summer and he wants to move to the Premier League.
That’s according to intermediary Malu Mpasinkatu, who insists both Manchester United and Chelsea ‘are on him’ ahead of the summer.
Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli this summer for more than €100m after establishing himself as one of the best strikers in Europe during his time with the Italian champions.
Chelsea have long been credited with an interest and numerous reports have put them at the front of the queue for him, with his love of Didier Drogba seemingly pulling him towards Stamford Bridge.
They’ve been studying various ways to try and get the deal done given their current financial situation and spending over the last few years, something which has led to some frustration in Italy.
A report this week criticised the Blues for being too hesitant and others have felt like someone behind the scenes, be it Napoli or the player’s entourage, is trying to tempt them into getting things moving.
“From the information I have, at the moment there is talk of Thuram at PSG instead of Mbappe,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.
“The Nigerian (Osimhen) has already played in France; his goal is the Premier League. Manchester United are on him as well as Chelsea. David? He could be the right profile to replace Osimhen, he is young but has been playing in Europe for several years.
“He has different characteristics from Osimhen, but he is very strong. Lille are an expensive club, but it’s unlikely that the players they sell do badly.”
The reality, though, is that a move from Manchester United may make little sense given the money they spent on Rasmus Hojlund last summer and their need to spend elsewhere on the squad.
Instead, this feels more like someone again leaking information to try and tempt Chelsea out as they continue to dance around Osimhen rather than commit to a big-money deal for him.
Of course, United have shocked us in the past with big money transfers out of nowhere in the past so that can’t be ruled out entirely. And given the new regime being built at Old Trafford this level of transfer would obviously be a club decision and not down to whoever is manager.
