Manchester United would have to pay at least £80 million to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The Red Devils could be forced into the market for a new forward over the coming weeks after Cristiano Ronaldo informed club chiefs of his desire to seek pastures new.
What is the latest news involving Osimhen?
Back in May, Italian outlet Sports Mediaset claimed United were at the front of the queue for Osimhen’s signature as they looked to replace Edinson Cavani.
However, a formal offer has never materialised, while fellow Premier League sides Arsenal and Newcastle United have also been credited with an interest in the Nigeria international.
Despite the speculation, it seemed as though signing a forward wasn’t at the top of new manager Erik ten Hag’s wish list in the opening stages of the current window.
Yet that may now have suddenly changed following Ronaldo’s apparent desire to continue chasing records in the Champions League.
And with the likes of Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland already being snapped up by rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, respectively, there are few options left for United to choose from.
What has Jones said about Osimhen?
Jones admitted to GiveMeSport that there ‘really aren’t’ many strikers on the market at the moment and that Osimhen would set United back a significant sum.
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He told GMS: “There really aren't, no. And you look at people who they've been linked to like Osimhen in the past, Osimhen’s someone who's going to cost you £80 million, maybe at least.
“He’s in a Napoli team that he has been happy to be a part of, that have been looking to build something. They're even being linked with Ronaldo at the moment.”
Would Osimhen be a good signing?
Italian football expert Conor Clancy previously labelled Osimhen a ‘superstar’ in an interview with GMS, and it’s hard to argue against that assessment.
Throughout his senior career, the 6 foot 1 ace has registered 66 goals and 19 assists in 151 appearances for Napoli, Lille, Wolfsburg and RSC Charleroi.
And Osimhen has enjoyed one of his most productive years so far, ranking in the 96th percentile for non-penalty goals and total shots and 90th for touches in the attacking penalty area amongst his positional peers, as per FBref.
His potential arrival at Old Trafford will surely depend on Ronaldo’s future, but even his departure wouldn’t guarantee United would have the finances and pulling power to sign Osimhen.