Manchester United’s late hijack attempt rejected by Napoli bound striker

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to add competition for his performing strikers.

It could be considered ludicrous of Manchester United to look for a striker when they could spend that money in reinforcing other areas of the pitch. But, this decision seems to have some degree of the rationale behind it.

The coaching staff and club’s management are totally aware of the importance of having multiple options to set up their attacking lineup. It also sustains, if not elevates, the standards set for the players when fresh competition is added to the squad.

One should, also, not forget how Solskjaer struggled to rotate his forwards when Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford were sidelined due to injuries, ultimately, resulting in the players getting knackered.

To close the gap and ensure United challenge on all fronts, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to append his attacking options in the summer transfer market. For that, a right-sided forward and a number 9 is considered to be the priority, with central defence and midfield also higher on the list.

Previously, during the January window, Solskjaer and his board members tried hard to lure Erling Haaland from Red Bull Salzburg. Instead, the Norwegian talent chose Borussia Dortmund over the Red Devils, citing better development opportunities in the German league.

As a fall-back option, various others – namely Josh King, Islam Slimani, Luka Jovic, Salomon Rondon, and Raul Jimenez – were tried as Solskjaer wanted a physical target man to complement the mobile forwards already at the club.

Finally, the club, after an anxious last few hours in the market, managed to sign Odion Ighalo from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua on a deal until the end of the 2019/20 campaign. With the Nigerian proving to be shrewd business, Ed Woodward has extended the striker’s stay until January 2021.

Striving for constant improvement, Solskjaer is keen to add a prolific goalscorer to his ranks with Ighalo, despite his passion and commitment, not in that category. Also, it’s unlikely that the Nigerian striker will extend his stay beyond January, next year.

Man United tried to hijack Victor Osimhen’s move to Napoli

After a successful debut season with 18 goals and six assists in 38 games for Lille, Victor Osimhen has attracted eyes from a host of European sides with Liverpool, Manchester United, Napoli, and Tottenham among the frontrunners.

Despite wide-ranging interest in the player, Napoli made the early move for the player, and the deal was all set to be concluded for a fee worth 60 million euros. It’s learnt that the Nigerian striker was reluctant to pen his contract with Naples.

The Nigeria international, like his other compatriots, dreamed of a move to Premier League and wanted to wait before committing his future in Italy in hopes of an offer arriving from England. Also, Napoli are struggling to make their financial ends meet amid the financial losses incurred due to the pandemic and have to generate funds via player sales.

In accordance with his expectations, a faint interest has arrived from the Premier League sides as Osimhen’s move to Napoli has stalled due to the player changing his agent midway through the negotiations.

With Napoli having to start the dialogues from the start, there have been various impediments in negotiations, including the threat of legal action from Osimhen’s previous agent, Jean-Gérard Benoit Czajka, and the deal looks more complicated than before.

Even with the player’s entourage encouraging him to sign for Napoli, the deal is not yet over the line, despite reaching major agreements.

Now, the status quo suggests that the player’s wages could be another sticking point with his new agent, Willian D’Avila, promising Osimhen an annual salary of around 5 million euros – a significant rise from the previously agreed €4m.

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But soon, there could be a conclusion on this transfer as Lille want to attain the transfer fees at the earliest to pare the losses due to the pandemic, as per Gianluca Di Marzio. Also, Napoli maintains their interest in Lazio man Ciro Immobile, should the Osimhen deal falls through.

"Napoli are moving closer towards signing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. With the Azzurri currently the only club ready to make the financial outlay on the player, Lille are reportedly looking to get the deal across the line as quickly as possible to bring in the transfer fee.Although other European clubs are interested in the forward, Lille may encourage him to sign with the Neapolitans, who look to have the most concrete offer. (Di Marzio via GIFN)"

Making an attempt to capitalise on the existing deadlock, Man United, Liverpool, and Spurs have made their inquiries should there be a possibility to lure the striker.

It’s understood that the Red Devils have presented their desire to make a €50m bid for Victor Osimhen. There have too been voices in Napoli’s local media that Manchester United and Liverpool have made their enquiries about Lille striker over the possibility of a move.

However, amid the latest developments, it looks like Manchester United’s last-ditch attempt to lure Osimhen won’t bear any fruit as the hitman has, finally, decided to commit himself to the Azzurri after his current club and representatives in Italy have reached consensus after a long round of discussions on Friday.

"Victor Osimhen has declined approaches in recent hours from Manchester United and Liverpool, as he hones in on completing a move to Napoli this weekend.Lawyers have gotten involved to the point that certain parties feel confident that Osimhen’s signing with Napoli can still occur this weekend. (L’Equipe via GFFN)"

Now, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have to turn his attention elsewhere to reinforce his attacking options. Victor Osimhen has passed his Napoli medical in Rome and will pen the last few contract details before the deal can be made official, reports RMC Sport.

Adding to the insult, Man Untied has just recently lost in their FA Cup semi-final fixture to rivals Chelsea, proving depth in many areas needs work done, including in the forward’s department.

Do you reckon Victor Osimhen will reject a move to Napoli?