Manchester United’s need for a clinical striker has become increasingly evident, given the modest goal contributions from Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee this season.
Hojlund has found the net just eight times, while Zirkzee has managed six goals.
The Danish forward only recently ended a lengthy Premier League goal drought, whereas the Dutchman appears more comfortable in an attacking midfield role rather than as a traditional number nine.
As a result, manager Ruben Amorim has made signing a top-class striker a priority in the upcoming transfer window.
He initially hoped to reunite with Viktor Gyökeres, but the Swedish forward is determined to play Champions League football—something United may not be able to offer next season.
This has pushed Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, to the top of United’s transfer list.
Osimhen—The Ideal Fit for United?
The 26-year-old Nigerian international has been in electrifying form, scoring 26 goals and providing five assists in the Turkish Süper Lig.
His performances have caught the attention of several top clubs, including Chelsea and Liverpool, alongside Manchester United.
Napoli is reportedly open to selling Osimhen at the end of the season, but his price tag poses a challenge. United may need to structure a player-plus-cash deal to make the transfer feasible.
While earlier reports suggested Rasmus Hojlund could be part of a swap, new information indicates that Alejandro Garnacho might be the player sacrificed.
Napoli had shown interest in Garnacho during the January transfer window but balked at United’s €70 million valuation. Now, the Argentine winger could be key to unlocking a deal for Osimhen.
Meanwhile, Galatasaray is eager to keep Osimhen permanently, though they may struggle to meet both Napoli’s asking price and the striker’s high wages. This could make a Premier League move the most realistic option.
Could Garnacho Be Included in the Deal?
Antonio Conte, Napoli’s head coach, is in search of a replacement for Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Garnacho could fit the bill. Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic speculated on the Inside United podcast that a swap deal involving Garnacho and Osimhen shouldn’t be ruled out.
“In terms of what they want from a striker, I think Osimhen would fit that bill. So I wonder what happens there. The only thing is, how much would Napoli want for him? And would some kind of transfer swap make sense? They’ve already been interested in Alejandro Garnacho, so I wouldn’t rule out something like that happening,” Whitwell explained.
Garnacho recently ended his own goal drought but has struggled with finishing and has faced some attitude concerns. While Amorim fought to keep him at United in January, things could change by the summer.
As the transfer window approaches, United faces stiff competition for Osimhen. Their ability to structure a deal—potentially involving Garnacho—will be crucial in securing the prolific Nigerian forward to revamp their attack.
