Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has the preference to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen over Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane this summer, The Telegraph’s Matt Law claims.
The Red Devils are likely to pursue a marquee centre-forward during the next transfer window and it appears Ten Hag has already made his recommendation to the club’s hierarchy.
Kane has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for several seasons, but Law reports that the England international does not fit the profile of striker that the manager prefers.
Ten Hag ideally wants to sign a faster forward such as Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen would be a fabulous signing for Man Utd
Osimhen has been in stellar form for Napoli this campaign. The Nigerian star has registered 13 goals and four assists from just 18 appearances across all competitions.
The striker has been instrumental in the club’s push for a first Serie A title in 32 years. It is unlikely that Napoli will entertain any bids for him in the current transfer window.
Hence, United will have to wait until the summer to sign him. Osimhen has all the traits to succeed in the Premier League. He has good pace, dribbling skills and also has an aerial presence in the box.
At 24, he is just in the prime of his playing career and would be a far better signing than Kane, who will be 30 by the summer and could show signs of slowing down in the coming years.
Kane has averaged 120 minutes per goal contribution this season but Osimhen has fared much better with a goal or an assist in every 79 minutes despite spending a month injured.
The Nigerian will cost a hefty fee of around £131 million this summer, but it would represent money well spent. United need a striker that can play a part in their success for the next decade.
ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS: SIMON JORDAN SAYS DECLAN RICE COULD JOIN MANCHESTER UNITED
Simon Jordan has told TalkSPORT (Wednesday, 11.55AM) that he thinks West Ham United captain Declan Rice could end up joining Manchester United if Erik ten Hag continues to drive them forward – amid £80m Arsenal reports.
Rice, 24, has clocked up 220 appearances for West Ham, winning the captaincy after Mark Noble’s retirement. He is a 39-time England star, but his contract at West Ham is due to expire at the end of the 2023-24 season. A move is likely.
Rice is unlikely to sign a new deal at this stage, and if West Ham are to get a decent fee for him – they will have to sell him this summer. The Times reported earlier this week that Rice has been made a priority for Arsenal in the summer.
A fee of £80million is likely to be required to land the Hammers icon. But Jordan believes that if Manchester United continue to play the way they are, and force themselves into a title race, they could beat Arsenal to Rice’s signature.
“I’ve got a sneaky suspicion, if Manchester United keeps going the way they are – win a cup, even win the league title, that he could end up occupying the quarterback role at Manchester United,” Jordan told TalkSPORT on Wednesday.
JORDAN: WEST HAM CAPTAIN RICE COULD END UP JOINING MANCHESTER UNITED
You would argue that any of the Premier League’s elite could incorporate Rice. At Arsenal, he would surely be the man to come in and improve upon Granit Xhaka, or replace Thomas Partey. Chelsea, well Rice is a former academy product.
Best mates with Mason Mount, and the Blues need to replace the imminent loss of Jorginho and N’Golo Kante. Both are out of contract in the summer. Manchester City signed Kalvin Phillips in the summer, but he has struggled at City.
Liverpool really need better options in the middle of the park, but their focus seems to be Jude Bellingham. United do have Casemiro but one would argue that Rice can push forward more than Casemiro. A potentially super partnership.
Source: manutdnews.com; hitc.com
