Manchester United spent big on their attack last summer and it paid off. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all hit double figures. Bruno Fernandes set a Premier League record with 21 assists. The Red Devils finished third and scored 69 goals, third most in the league behind Arsenal and Manchester City.
Now the focus is supposed to be midfield. But rumors about another striker just won’t die. Especially with Joshua Zirkzee’s future uncertain and a Champions League campaign that’s going to pile up games fast.
Enter Victor Osimhen. Again.
The Nigerian striker has been on United’s radar for years. He spent four seasons at Napoli, won a Serie A title, then took a loan to Galatasaray in 2024. That went so well — league title, Turkish Cup, 22 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances last season — that the Turkish club made the move permanent for a reported €75 million last summer.
Now they’re trying to keep him. And they’re pricing out basically everybody.
Journalist Süleyman Rodop told Haber Sarı Kırmızı that Galatasaray won’t even listen to offers below €150 million — about $130 million at current rates. Osimhen’s contract runs through 2029. So yeah, they’ve got leverage.
Osimhen is 27 and proven in the Champions League — 16 goals and four assists in 27 games. On paper, he’s exactly the kind of player you want leading your line in Europe. But United is working with a strict budget this summer. The priority is midfield reinforcements. Dropping nine figures on another striker? Not happening.
Even if they could, there’s a question of fit. Sesko is the future. Bringing in a veteran like Osimhen might help his development. But it could also eat his minutes. The smarter move, and the one United seems to be leaning toward, is finding an experienced backup who’s happy to play second fiddle and help the kid grow.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, is reportedly thinking about giving Osimhen the captain’s armband to sweeten the deal. They know what they’ve got. And they’re acting like it.
United might circle back if the midfield gets sorted early. But right now, this one looks dead in the water.
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