Manchester United’s options for a new striker are slowly but surely reducing as another world class name looks to be slipping through their fingers.
Viktor Gyokeres remains on the brink of a move from Sporting CP to Arsenal after scoring more than 50 goals last season.
Liam Delap opted for a move to Chelsea early in the transfer window, and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike looks to be out of United’s price range.
One of the only other premium centre-forwards on the market is now also edging closer to a new club, and it is not the Red Devils.
Galatasaray v United Nigerian hitman Victor Osimhen spent last season on loan at Galatasaray after an epic falling-out with Napoli. He picked up 37 goals in 41 games for the Turkish champions, who have long been desperate to bring him back on a permanent basis.
Unlike United, Galatasaray have actually submitted bids for the player and have even triggered his release clause – or at least offered that amount.
However, the Italian champions were unhappy with the structure of the initial bid which spread the release clause’s €75m value over a number of years, and turned it down. The release clause has since expired but the figures involved still seem to be hovering in the same area.
This left the door ajar for INEOS to swoop in with a heroic bid, but no such action was taken as it becomes increasingly apparent the Old Trafford club are yet to register a serious interest in the player.
New bid Things move quickly in football, and there is still time for a shock swoop for the 26-year-old although the clock is ticking fast following Fabrizio Romano’s latest update.
The well-connected journalist reported last night that Galatasaray had returned with a new proposal for Osimhen after seeing a €70m offer rejected.
Romano explains that Gala are now offering €75m, with €40m up front and the remaining €35m delivered in instalments.
🚨🟡🔴 EXCL: Galatasaray submit new proposal to Napoli for Victor Osimhen after €70m rejected!
The Turkish club now offers €75m with €40m immediate payment and €35m in installments, with bank guarantees as key point again.
Decision up to Napoli once again. 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/47B8DFV3hQ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 11, 2025
Napoli are doubtless eager to get this transfer saga wrapped up so they can carry on with their summer, and the ball is now in their court. Should they accept this latest bid another name, regardless of how unlikely it may have been, disappears from United’s list of options for a new centre-forward.
Featured image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Joe Ponting Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
