The battle for Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen has intensified, with reports indicating that Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have both agreed to meet his €75 million (£65 million) release clause from Napoli.
Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Turkish club Galatasaray, has been in sensational form, netting 17 goals in 23 appearances this season. His performances have attracted significant interest from top European clubs, including United, PSG, and Juventus, ahead of the summer transfer window.
Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu revealed that Galatasaray has all but given up hope of signing the prolific forward on a permanent deal. According to Sabuncuoglu, Osimhen is set to sign with a prominent international management company, which further distances him from the Istanbul-based club.
“Victor Osimhen is about to sign with a world-famous management company, with talks reportedly initiated by a Real Madrid player. This development significantly reduces Galatasaray’s chances of securing him permanently,” Sabuncuoglu said.
He further disclosed that both Manchester United and PSG have made verbal offers to Osimhen’s representatives regarding salary and contract terms, with both clubs willing to trigger his release clause.
“PSG and Manchester United have made their verbal offers to the player’s camp concerning the salary and contract period. Both clubs have also agreed to pay Napoli the release fee. It will be extremely difficult for Galatasaray to compete with these two financial powerhouses,” he added.
Meanwhile, Italian giants Juventus are reportedly preparing a surprise move for Osimhen as they anticipate the possible departure of Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic in the upcoming transfer window.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Calciomercato.com), Juventus’ sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, is actively working on a potential deal to bring Osimhen to Turin. However, the move presents a significant challenge, as Napoli is unlikely to negotiate with a domestic rival.
The Bianconeri are also exploring the possibility of extending Randal Kolo Muani’s loan from PSG after his initial short-term move in January. Juventus hopes to secure another season-long loan with an option to buy, creating a formidable strike partnership with Osimhen should the deal materialize.
While the Premier League and Ligue 1 giants appear to be front-runners, Osimhen’s next destination remains uncertain. The striker has previously expressed interest in playing in the Premier League, giving Manchester United a potential edge. However, PSG’s financial power and ambition to rebuild their attack following Kylian Mbappé’s expected departure could tilt the balance in their favor.
As the summer transfer window approaches, the race to secure Osimhen’s signature is set to become even more competitive, with Galatasaray seemingly out of the picture and Juventus lurking in the shadows.
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