Ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has stated that a top level striker with Champions League experience would definitely be willing to join the Reds.
Manchester United currently sit in seventh place in the Premier League and face Manchester City in the derby on Saturday. The squad must be able to once again adapt to a new manager with Michael Carrick stepping into the head coach role until the end of the season.
Carricks appointment is expected to bring a four at the back formation allowing for a more solid midfield structure compared to Ruben Amorim’s three at the back favouring. The returns of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo from AFCON will provide a huge boosts for the reds on Saturday.
Joining them in attack, Benjamin Sesko expects to continue his top form of three goals in his last two games for United. The Slovenian has struggled to find his flow at United so far with five goals in seventeen games, though the striker seems to have turn this around.
United still remain interested in striker options with Joshua Zirkzee reportedly looking to leave the club leaving United without adequate backup for Sesko. Rio Ferdinand spoke to Ghana legend, Asamoah Gyan, on his podcast where they discussed how a big name could be attracted to move to Old Trafford.
Ferdinand states Osimhen couldn’t turn down a United offer
When speaking to Ferdinand on the Rio Ferdinand Presents Podcast Gyan said that Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen was his favourite striker and that he would like to see him join United. The Nigerian has been heavily linked to a United move for years.
Gyan said: “Victor Osimhen, he loves scoring goals, he plays with his heart, and gives everything. I’m surprised big clubs didn’t go for him in this transfer window. Hopefully, I’m feeling Manchester United too, only if he wants to come because of their history and everything.”
United’s success and reputation has helped to attract some of football’s biggest names to the club despite the disappointing performances post Sir Alex Ferguson. Ferdinand expects the reputation to play a huge part in attracting Osimhen.
“Osimhen will come to United, if United offer to take Osimhen, he would go, 100%.” Ferdinand replied to Gyan. The striker has attracted the attention of many of Europes top clubs with his 163 career goals so far.
Osimhen’s availability could cause concerns for United
Signings are unlikely to happen in the January transfer window for United due to Carrick’s temporary position. So United are expected to have to wait until the summer window to sign top strikers such as Osimhen.
Gyan discussed how Osimhen would fit into the squad, saying “That is the type of striker we need right now, we have Mbeumo on the side doing what he needs to do.” Adding Osimhen to the strike force along side Mbeumo would add a much needed clinical element to the United attack.
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With INEOS’s transfer strategy having a focus on proven players, Osimhen’s 15 Champions League goals in 21 games will play a huge factor in the striker’s chance of joining. He has also proven himself on the international stage with 35 goals for Nigeria.
With interest from Chelsea, Barcelona and other top clubs, United would likely have to pay a large amount for the striker. Galatasaray reportedly attached a £121 million fee to the striker which could easily turn the club away.
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