Manchester United report: Red Devils to battle Arsenal for prolific Victor Osimhen

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Manchester United might have identified their next star striker – but they could face stiff competition to secure his services

Manchester United-linked Napoli striker Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between Napoli and Juventus on 13 January, 2013 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, Italy.
(Image credit: Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Manchester United will reportedly face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal in the race to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli.

The striker has been in red-hot form this season, scoring 13 goals in 17 appearances in all competitions for the Partenopei – who lead the way in Serie A and topped their Champions League group.

And the goalscoring exploits of the 24-year-old – who bagged a brace as Napoli thumped Juventus 5-1 last time out – appear to have attracted the attention of a clutch of English clubs.

Victor Osimhen of Napoli celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between Sampdoria and Napoli on 8 January, 2023 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa, Italy.

Osimhen is currently the top scorer in Serie A with 12 goals (Image credit: MB Media/Getty Images)

According to Naples-based newspaper Il Mattino (via Goal), Newcastle are also keen on Osimhen – who could cost roughly £133m.

The Nigeria international's current contract doesn't expire until the end of the 2024/25 season, but he is said to be unwilling to discuss an extension until this summer – perhaps suggesting that he sees his future elsewhere.

Of the three Premier League clubs Osimhen – who joined Napoli from Lille for a club-record fee in 2020 – has been linked with, Man United are most in need of a new centre-forward.

While Arsenal signed Gabriel Jesus last summer and Eddie Nketiah has deputised superbly in his absence, and Newcastle added Alexander Isak to an attacking department already featuring Callum Wilson, United were lacking up front even before Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in November.

Victor Osimhen of Nigeria in action during the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying match between Nigeria and Ghana on 29 March, 2022 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria

Osimhen has scored 15 goals in 22 caps for Nigeria (Image credit: Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images)

United have just signed Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley for the rest of 2022/23, but the 30-year-old Dutchman is hardly likely to be the long-term solution at Old Trafford.

Osimhen could be exactly that, though – and their fans have already been demanding that they swoop for him.

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In other transfer news, United have been linked with a surprise move for Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters. Meanwhile, they are said to be reluctant to let Scott McTominay leave on loan – amid reported interest from Newcastle.

Away from the transfer front, Erik ten Hag has insisted that United are not thinking about winning the Premier League title – despite Saturday's derby comeback victory over Manchester United.

Tom Hancock
Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...