We know that United have been linked for quite some time now with the Nigerian powerhouse that is Victor Osimhen who was on loan with Galatasaray last season.
The Napoli man appears to be up for sale as there's been all sorts of talk linking him to this team and that. In fact, the 26 year old recently rejected a mammoth offer worth €30m-a-year from Saudi side Al-Hilal whom we know were desperate for captain Bruno Fernandes.
Now it seems that MUFC are back in for one of Europe's best strikers.
Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy are saying that "Victor Osimhen dreams of signing for #mufc. United are studying a strategy to sign him this summer.
Napoli CEO Aurelio de Laurentiis wants suitors to meet the £63.5m release clause, but United are considering adding Joshua Zirkzee to their move."
For people wondering why Napoli would let go off such a striker after he helped them win the Scudetto in 22/23, it is because he was seen as no longer part of the plans for Antonio Conte when he became manager last season. There was also a bit of a fallout with the club and as there was no permanent move finalized, he ended up being loaned out to Galatasaray this past campaign.
Perhaps something to think about when it comes to this player but I don't think it makes a massive difference.
I like Zirkzee. I think people were too quick to criticize him and while it looked like his career at United was over after being brutally subbed off in the first half of the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle at home to which the crowd cheered before the forward walked down the tunnel (almost in tears), the forward has managed to turn things around since.
That moment appeared to be the spark for him at United and I was really happy for him because like I said, there was too much criticism of him despite only being at the club for 6 months.
Since then, Ruben Amorim has instead used him as a no 10 rather than that main centre-forward. That has seen Zirkzee flourish. The 24 year old Dutchman started to look like the player we all thought we were getting as he displayed his skills, quick feet, composure and ability to drop deep and run with the ball.
This helped the team tactically as well as Zirkzee is no traditional striker. Due to him wanting to drop deeper, it had the knack of pulling defenders with him and creating spaces for others to run into.
He played with a smile on his face but that unfortunately, didn't last long as a hamstring injury in the 4-1 loss to Newcastle in April ended his season prematurely although he did make a cameo appearance in the Europa League final. That was seen as a positive as we all thought he wouldn't play again this season.
This is why I wouldn't want us to let him go. I get that he isn't the best player we could have in either of the no 10 or striker positions but he is still young and developmental and played in just his first season at United. He also had an injury problem so we haven't really seen the best of Joshua Zirkzee.
He might have a problem getting into the United side should he stay though because with Matheus Cunha coming in and potentially Bryan Mbeumo and the fact that we have Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo all able to play at CAM, where will Zirkzee fit in?
He is no striker as well which is why United may also be willing to do this deal with Napoli.
Perhaps this move could be good for all parties? Zirkzee may have limited game time at Old Trafford and doesn't really fulfil what we need up top and at Napoli, could find himself as one of the main men for the Italian champions. Osimhen is also needed at MUFC so...
I don't want Zirkzee to go but with those players above, do we actually need him? And if him going helps us in getting a striker like Osimhen whom is desperately needed, I think I'd be open to it.
Osimhen ticks all the boxes of what is required in this United side. He's also at a good age (26) as well which makes him pretty much perfect. Zirkzee is also used to the Italian league as that is where we bought him from. I'm not sure how he would work under Antonio Conte though because the Dutchman doesn't come off as one of those work horses which is what one needs to be to play for the Italian.
If there is no other option, I would do it. £63.5m for a top no 9 like Osimhen is a really good deal as well. It's £1m than we paid for Cunha and is Osimhen worth just £1m than the Brazilian?
Would you let go of Zirkzee if it meant funding a move for Osimhen?
Joshua Zirkzee could be part of a deal to sign Victor Osimhen | Joshua Zirkzee: Creator: Michael Regan | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2024 Getty Images via Man Utd News
Victor Osimhen is a target for Man Utd as Nigerian reportedly 'dreams of signing' for club | Victor Osimhen: Image credit: Getty Images via Goal