Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has been named on Manchester United’s shortlist of four potential striker targets for the upcoming summer transfer window, as the Premier League club looks to strengthen its attacking options.
United’s frontline has struggled this season, with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund failing to hit top form. Zirkzee has managed just six goals in 44 appearances since his move from Bologna, while Hojlund has netted eight times in 39 games across all competitions.
These underwhelming returns have contributed to United’s attacking woes, with the team scoring only 37 goals in 29 Premier League matches—placing them behind 13 other teams in terms of goals scored this season.
According to journalist Florian Plettenburg, Osimhen is one of four strikers United is monitoring ahead of the transfer window.
Currently on loan at Galatasaray, Osimhen has been in red-hot form, bagging 26 goals in 30 appearances, including 20 strikes in 22 league games, making him the top scorer in the Turkish Super Lig. While he is set to return to Napoli this summer, a permanent transfer is likely before the 2025/26 season.
Reports suggest Osimhen is keen on a move to Old Trafford, despite interest from other European giants, including Paris Saint-Germain.
Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres is also high on United’s wishlist. Manager Ruben Amorim, who coached Gyokeres at Sporting, is well aware of the forward’s goal-scoring ability.
United is also keeping tabs on two Bundesliga strikers—RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike. Sesko, linked with Arsenal and Liverpool, has notched 17 goals and six assists in 36 matches this season, while Ekitike has recorded 19 goals and eight assists in 38 games, including 13 in 25 Bundesliga outings.
Meanwhile, reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest Napoli is considering Hojlund as a potential replacement for Osimhen should the Nigerian depart.
Currently on international duty with the Super Eagles, Osimhen remains focused on Nigeria’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
“It’s every footballer’s dream to play at the World Cup, and given our current position in the group, we are desperate to qualify for 2026,” Osimhen said.
“The disappointment of 2022 still hurts, and we cannot afford to let it happen again—for ourselves, for the country, and for our generation.”
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