Manchester United have opened negotiations with Napoli over a potential summer move for striker Victor Osimhen, according to reports from Italy.
United are actively in the market for a new forward and were pursuing Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, who is available for £30 million due to a relegation release clause. However, the 22-year-old is now believed to favour a move to Chelsea.
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With Delap likely out of reach, United are exploring other targets. Ruben Amorim remains a strong admirer of Viktor Gyökeres, having worked with the Swedish forward at Sporting CP, but Arsenal are also pushing for a deal. Sporting value Gyökeres at €80 million (£67 million), making the race competitive.
Amid these developments, Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli reports that United have intensified efforts to sign Osimhen. Matt Hargreaves, United’s director of football negotiations, travelled to Italy last weekend to meet Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis and sporting director Giovanni Manna to discuss a potential transfer.
Napoli are reportedly demanding a player-plus-cash deal involving Rasmus Højlund and €40 million (£33.6 million) in exchange for Osimhen. The Nigerian striker has a €75 million (£63 million) release clause, but it is only applicable to clubs outside Italy.
United and Napoli already maintain a strong relationship following last summer’s £21 million transfer of Scott McTominay to the Italian side.
Osimhen, 26, spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Galatasaray, where he scored a remarkable 36 goals in 40 appearances, helping the Turkish giants clinch both the league title and domestic cup.
The Nigerian forward nearly joined Chelsea last summer and remains interested in a move to Stamford Bridge, according to former Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel, who was involved in those negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Pro League has not given up on signing Osimhen either. Reports in Saudi Arabia last week claimed the striker had agreed a three-year deal with Al-Hilal, who will feature in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
