Manchester United have reportedly re-entered talks with Victor Osimhen ahead of a possible transfer to Manchester United this summer.
Manchester United are planning significant changes to their forward line this summer after a disappointing 2024/25 season in which they finished 15th in the Premier League, with a lack of goals being a key issue.
Bruno Fernandes led the way with 19 goals, while Alejandro Garnacho and Amad both netted 11. Rasmus Højlund added 10, but no other player managed to hit double figures in all competitions.
The club have already reached an agreement to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves, and there is growing confidence that a deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo will soon be completed.
United are still on the lookout for a new centre-forward, with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres among their top targets. He has scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese club, including 66 in 68 games under Rúben Amorim, although Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is also on their list.
United re-enter talks for Osimhen
While United’s deal for Cunha was smooth sailing, their hunt for fresh striker talent this summer is already proving to be a much trickier operation.
The club has already missed out on their top target, Liam Delap, with the English forward opting to sign for Chelsea instead. Meanwhile, Gyökeres, whom Amorim admires, is refusing to commit his future to either club amid talks with Arsenal, United, and other European clubs.
With this in mind, United have reportedly reopened negotiations with Osimhen surrounding a move to Old Trafford this summer, according to FootMercato.
Previous reports have detailed that signing for United is a dream move for Osimhen, but that he also feels he should be adequately compensated with a considerable wage package, as he is one of the best strikers in world football.
According to FootMercato, Osimhen has informed United that his wage demands still sit at just over £10 million a season, which equates to just shy of £200,000 a week.
Although it is not made clear in the report, it’s thought that this figure may be after tax, meaning United would need to be paying the player a gross wage of over £350,000 a week, making him the highest-paid player at United.
A compromise may need to be reached, but it could be worth it
While the club have remained firm in their stance that they won’t meet Osimhen’s high demands, a willingness on the player’s part to compromise could make this a gamble worth considering for United.
The club are prioritising a striker this summer with experience and a proven goal-scoring record — and few, if any, fit the bill better than Osimhen.
He is among the top strikers in world football, and although United are aiming to trim their wage bill, there may come a point where they must also compromise to secure a premium talent with a premium salary.
If both sides can agree on a wage structure, there’s little doubt that adding Osimhen to a forward line already featuring Cunha — and potentially Brentford’s Mbeumo — would revolutionise United’s attack.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.