Manchester United are ready to step up their hunt to sign an uber-talented big-name striker this summer – and they have been told they will be landing a ‘brilliant madman’ if they can get the deal over the line.
Erik ten Hag is doing extremely good things in his first season at Old Trafford. Backed with a £200m transfer kitty over the summer, he has remodeled the United side and overseen a rapid improvement. Indeed, the side that laboured home in sixth place last season are now well on course for a top-four finish.
And while their incredible run of 13 successive home wins was brought to an end by Leeds on Wednesday, they have an immediate chance to gain revenge at Elland Road on Sunday. After the game, Bruno Fernandes owned up to a big mistake, while Michael Owen was quick to point the finger at two ’embarrassing’ United stars.
With a top-four finish in their control, United’s summer transfer plans will be granted a significant double lift. Firstly, their prospects of attracting the game’s top talents will be enhanced by the offering of Champions League football.
And secondly, Ten Hag will likely see his summer budget swell on the back of increased revenue that comes with Champions League football.
Furthermore, with Fabrizio Romano revealing Hag is willing to cash in on an 85-goal star, United may have serious funds at their disposal this summer.
With that in mind, the United boss is looking to sign three quality additions to take his side to the next level.
And his very top target is to sign a new big-name striker capable of filling the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ten Hag determined to bring Victor Osimhen to Man Utd
United did bring in Wout Weghorst on a temporary deal until the end of the season. But his limitations were badly exposed with an ineffective performance against Leeds.
However, his chances of a long-term stay are fading by the week – and moreso with Ten Hag seeking to sign one of three new strikers.
Per reports, the men on his shortlist are Victor Osimhen, Harry Kane and Dusan Vlahovic. And while Kane looks set to sign a new deal at Spurs, Juventus may be willing to move Vlahovic on in the wake of their recent 15-point deduction.
That leaves the Bianconeri likely to be missing out on European football next season. And a big-name player may have to be sacrificed as a result.
Despite this, Ten Hag is seemingly ready to go all out all for Osimhen.
The Nigerian striker boasts an incredible record of 83 goals in 173 games. And since moving to Napoli, the 24-year-old has an excellent 45 goals in 83 games.
And Ten Hag reckons that better than a goal every-other game average can easily translate into the Premier League.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis will not let his star man leave without a fight. Indeed, he only issued a warning over reported interest from Manchester United earlier this week.
However, United are refusing to be give up at the first hurdle. As such, reports are growing that they will launch a club-record bid for his services this summer.
Ten Hag wants to bring ‘brilliant madman’ to Old Trafford
And while the bidding is likely to start at £90m, United will likely have to go through the £100m mark to land their man. Ultimately, the price for Osimhen could well top the British record mark of £106.8m that Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez.
Nonetheless, Italian journalist Gianni Visnadi has described Osimhen as a “brilliant madman”. And he feels the player’s qualities have shown through this season for Gli Azzurri.
“I am crazy about Osimhen and I think he is a fantastic player. Osimhen is crazy because he does things that others don’t even think about. This year he is showing who he really is,” Visnadi told Radio CrC.
Discussing a recent goal he scored, he added: “Only a brilliant madman can make that play (the goal). The genius of making that shot there is extraordinary.”
Visnadi reckons Napoli’s decision to sign Osimhen from Lille back in summer 2020 was really excellent business.
And with Napoli set to land a healthy profit, Visnadi concluded: “Congratulations to whoever chose him. He is a jewel that has been polished well to make him shine as he deserves.”
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