Manchester United have reportedly made a bold move to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli by offering Danish forward Rasmus Højlund plus €40 million in a player-plus-cash swap deal. According to reports from Italian publication Il Napolista, United’s top transfer envoy, Matt Hargreaves, recently flew to Naples to initiate talks with Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
The discussions centered around Osimhen’s future at the club, as Napoli are open to parting ways with the 26-year-old striker, despite his impressive performances while on loan at Galatasaray.
Napoli Demand Højlund and €40m for Osimhen
During the meeting, Napoli reportedly made it clear they would only agree to the deal if United included Rasmus Højlund and added €40 million in cash. The Italian champions view Højlund as a potential replacement for Osimhen and believe he could flourish with a fresh start in Serie A, especially after his earlier success at Atalanta.
The Italian outlet stated that Hargreaves’ trip had a dual purpose: to gauge Osimhen’s availability and to assess Napoli’s openness to including Højlund in the deal. Napoli, aware of growing interest in Osimhen from other clubs including Saudi Arabian sides, are keen to cash in on the forward while also securing a younger striker with long-term potential.
Osimhen Shines at Galatasaray Amid Napoli Exit Rumours
Osimhen had a stellar campaign with Turkish giants Galatasaray during the just-concluded season. The Nigerian striker netted 36 goals and played a pivotal role in securing the Süper Lig title for the club. Despite his goal-scoring exploits, Napoli reportedly do not see him as a central figure in their future attacking setup.
The Serie A side appears to be considering Canadian forward Jonathan David, whose contract situation makes him a potential free transfer target this summer. This development suggests Napoli are already planning for life after Osimhen.
“Despite Osimhen’s return, he will not be the attacker with whom the Blues will strengthen next season,” Il Napolista reported, further underlining the Italian club’s intention to move on from the Nigerian star.
Højlund Struggles at Old Trafford Could Lead to Serie A Return
Rasmus Højlund arrived at Manchester United in the summer of 2023 from Atalanta in a £64 million transfer. Although he showed glimpses of talent, his time in the Premier League has largely been underwhelming. The 22-year-old managed 26 goals across 95 appearances in all competitions but has faced criticism for his inconsistency and lack of killer instinct in front of goal.
A return to Italy, where he enjoyed a breakout spell, could be beneficial for the young forward and could give him the platform to rediscover his form. Napoli’s interest suggests they believe Højlund could be a strong addition to their lineup, especially under a system familiar to him.
Saudi Club Al-Hilal Also Targeting Osimhen
Osimhen remains one of the most in-demand strikers in Europe, and interest in his signature is not limited to the Premier League. Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal have reportedly entered the race and are said to be preparing an eye-watering financial package to lure him to the Middle East.
Sources suggest that Al-Hilal’s offer includes not just a massive salary but also a leading role at the upcoming expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which could make the move more attractive to the Nigerian forward.
Nonetheless, the opportunity to spearhead Manchester United’s rebuild under a revamped attack might appeal more to Osimhen, especially if he aims to remain at the top level of European football.
United Eyeing Offensive Reinforcement After Poor Campaign
Manchester United’s move for Osimhen underscores the club’s urgency to reinforce their attacking options following a disappointing season. The Red Devils struggled for goals and consistency throughout the campaign, and their woes were compounded by a recent 1–0 post-season loss to the ASEAN All-Stars. They have just one more friendly against Hong Kong before the squad goes on summer break.
Osimhen is viewed as a transformational signing who could instantly raise the level of United’s attack. His pace, physicality, and clinical finishing would bring a new dynamic to the squad—traits that have been sorely lacking in recent months.
If successful, this deal could mark a pivotal moment in Manchester United’s summer transfer window and signal a serious intent to return to elite contention both domestically and in Europe.
