Utd on red alert after Euro giants ignite pursuit of INEOS’ striker target, he’s ‘expressed his preference’

Stretty News

·14. Mai 2025

Utd on red alert after Euro giants ignite pursuit of INEOS’ striker target, he’s ‘expressed his preference’

While still thought to be prioritising Liam Delap, Manchester United have long been admirers of renowned No.9 Victor Osimhen.

INEOS’ desire to sign more youthful but still proven talents has led to them making the Ipswich Town talisman their first choice heading into the transfer window.

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The fact he’s available for a cut-price release clause of £30 million – as opposed to £40m if they retained their top-flight status – following the club’s relegation will also be driving their interest.

United set sights on up-and-coming Delap over experienced Osimhen

Yet, some of the Old Trafford faithful would’ve rather United pursue a more prolific and proven goalscorer like Osimhen, who boasts a tremendous 147 career goals since breaking through at Wolfsburg in 2016/2017.

He has spent the 2024/2025 term on loan with Galatasaray following a fiery fallout with Napoli boss Antonio Conte last summer. When a permanent switch to the Saudi Pro League fell through in the closing stages of the window, the Nigerian agreed to spend a season plying his trade in Turkey.

How Osimhen has fared since his temporary Naples exit

Osimhen is one of the most highly regarded frontmen in world football. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Unsurprisingly, Osimhen has taken to the Super Lig like a duck to water, scoring a scintillating 24 goals in 28 appearances. He has been influential in the side being crowned title winners for the 24th time, making it no surprise that he’s become a man in demand again in recent months.

A long-term return to Italy now could be on the cards for the 26-year-old, but to one of Napoli’s rivals in the form of Juventus. Alfredo Pedulla reports that while Osimhen has ‘a great respect’ for Galatasaray, he is ‘ready for a new experience’.

He is now atop Juventus’ centre-forward shortlist and has ‘expressed his preference’. Napoli, who are poised to become Scudetto winners for the second time in three campaigns, would prefer to sell him to another club outside of Italy, though his contract situation – expiring in 2026 – means a sale is becoming essential if they’re to recuperate a substantial fee from the Nigerian’s exit.