Man Utd transfer hopes in doubt as rivals ramp up pursuit of key striker | OneFootball

Man Utd in Osimhen Chase but Face Stiff Competition

Manchester United have been heavily linked with Victor Osimhen, but despite reports suggesting a deal is close, the race remains wide open. With Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Juventus also vying for his signature, United’s new head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, has a significant challenge ahead. As reported by TeamTalk.

Osimhen’s Stance on Man Utd Move

United have admired Osimhen for some time and even made contact in January. The Nigerian striker, who boasts an impressive 134 career goals, is understood to ‘greatly appreciate’ their interest. However, claims that his transfer to Old Trafford is ‘95 per cent complete’ appear to be premature.

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Sources confirm that Napoli are already planning for his departure, avoiding a repeat of last summer when they struggled to offload him. Napoli director Giovanni Manna has acknowledged that work is underway to find a ‘definitive solution’ for Osimhen’s future.

United’s interest is clear, but with no Champions League football guaranteed next season, they will need to prove to Osimhen that Old Trafford is still the right destination.

Rival Clubs Ready to Challenge United

Paris Saint-Germain remain strong contenders in the race. The French giants have held talks with Napoli and view Osimhen’s €75million (£62m) release clause as a reasonable fee. However, they are exploring the possibility of structuring payments, as they did when negotiating for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Chelsea are also keeping a close eye on Osimhen. With their search for a reliable striker ongoing, the 26-year-old fits the profile they need. Like PSG, Chelsea consider his release clause a fair price and could make a serious move this summer.

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Juventus present another challenge, although their pursuit is more complicated. With Dusan Vlahovic expected to leave, Juve see Osimhen as their top target. However, as the €75m clause applies only to clubs outside Italy, Juventus would need to negotiate directly with Napoli, making a deal more difficult.

Man Utd’s Transfer Gamble

United’s approach to signing a new striker is clear—they want a proven goalscorer who can take Ruben Amorim’s team to the next level. But their transfer policy has often been reactive rather than proactive. Missing out on Harry Kane last summer left them scrambling, and Rasmus Højlund’s arrival, while promising, has not fully solved their attacking issues.

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Christopher Vivell, the club’s newly appointed recruitment chief, must now oversee one of United’s most crucial transfer windows in years. If they want Osimhen, they need to move decisively. However, the presence of European heavyweights complicates the situation.

With Chelsea and PSG financially well-positioned, and Juventus determined to strike a deal, United must find a way to stay competitive in the market.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester United supporter’s perspective, this transfer saga raises more questions than answers. On paper, Osimhen is exactly what United need—strong, quick, and ruthless in front of goal. But will the club actually pull this off? History suggests otherwise.

United have spent years chasing marquee signings only to fall short. Whether it was the drawn-out Frenkie de Jong pursuit or the failed Kane approach, the club’s inability to close major deals efficiently has become a worrying trend. Why should this time be any different?

The financial picture also casts doubt. With United unlikely to secure Champions League football next season, do they even have the pull to convince Osimhen over PSG or Chelsea? PSG’s ability to offer European football and a lucrative package makes them the clear frontrunners, while Chelsea’s transfer strategy—erratic as it may be—has often outpaced United in recent windows.

Then there’s the footballing side. Amorim’s United are still a work in progress, and unless there’s a clear plan for how Osimhen fits in, there’s little reason to believe he won’t choose a club with more stability.

Ultimately, this transfer feels more like an uphill battle than a done deal. Until United prove they can operate decisively in the market, there’s every chance Osimhen slips away—just as so many top targets have before.