Napoli striker and reported Manchester United target Victor Osimhen is understood to now be open to joining Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal in the summer.
Osimhen has been linked to United for a long time and with the club expected to dip into the market for attacking reinforcements in the upcoming window, his name has popped up again.
The Nigerian superstart is almost certain to be available for transfer once his loan spell at Galatasaray ends this season. While he will technically return to Napoli, its highly unlikely hell feature for the Serie A side again, following his unsuccessful attempt to force a move away last summer.
Last week, there were suggestions from Turkey that United had struck an arrangement to sign Osimhen. However, these reports were put to bed by the reliable David Ornstein, who recently revealed that the forward is not on the agenda at Old Trafford.
Ornstein relayed that United’s top striker target is Liam Delap of Ipswich Town.
Now, GIVEMESPORT have issued a fresh update on Osimhen, indicating that he is considering a switch to the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Hilal had earmarked funds to sign Mohamed Salah from Liverpool, but the Egyptian dashed their hopes by committing to a new deal at Anfield. With that budget still intact, the Saudi giants are now ready to redirect it toward securing a marquee forward, with Osimhen emerging as a prime target.
GMS state, “Sources have been informed that Osimhen is under consideration as a target for Al-Hilal, having seen him enjoy a prolific season-long loan with Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray, and they could make him a marquee signing as they aim to recover from being unable to lure Salah away from Liverpool.”
“Manchester United are not the only English side to have been showing interest in the Nigeria international as Chelsea have also included him on a shortlist of potential arrivals, but it has become clear that he is refusing to rule out the possibility of embarking on a fresh challenge in Saudi Arabia.”
Back in February, reports surfaced that Osimhen was demanding wages exceeding 400,000 per week to join United. For the Red Devils, such a figure is simply unfeasible not only due to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), but also because of the club hierarchy’s firm commitment to restoring a more sustainable wage structure.
Very few clubs in Europe can meet Osimhen’s hefty wage demands – a major factor behind the collapse of his proposed move to Chelsea last summer.
Unless the 26-year-old adjusts his salary expectations to a more realistic sum, then it appears Al-Hilal will be his likely transfer destination
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Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
