United want Osimhen, Zirkzee swap deal

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in a deal which could see struggling Red Devils striker Joshua Zirkzee move in the opposite direction.

Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli at the start of September, and he has represented the Turkish giants on nine occasions during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring eight goals and registering four assists in the process.

As it stands, the 25-year-old will head back to Naples next summer, with suggestions that his loan spell could be ended in January believed to be wide of the mark.

Osimhen was frozen out of the Napoli squad after failing to secure a permanent exit over the summer, with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain believed to have been the most interested European clubs.

There are also thought to have been offers from Saudi Arabia, but the Nigeria international rejected interest from the Saudi Pro League due to his desire to remain in European football.

Chelsea are still thought to be keen, in addition to Arsenal, but Man United are also said to be in the mix, and the Red Devils could allegedly use Zirkzee as part of their negotiations with Napoli.

According to journalist Gerardo Fasano, speaking to Area Napoli, new Man United head coach Ruben Amorim is keen on Osimhen, who has a contract with his parent club until the summer of 2026.

“Manchester United is said to be on the trail of Victor Osimhen. I have been told that the English, through mister Amorim, could include the former Bologna striker Zirkzee in the negotiations for Osimhen,” he said.

“Zirkzee could help [Romelu] Lukaku find himself. Money plus Zirkzee for Osimhen. Amorim has understood that Sporting Lisbon could ask too much for [Viktor] Gyokeres and is testing the waters for Osimhen.

“Zirkzee might not be the ideal striker for the coach. The former Bologna player would instead help Lukaku next season: the two would form an important pair. However, Juventus is also interested in Zirkzee and can count on Thiago Motta, a coach who has greatly enhanced the player.”

Man United need to bring a new striker to the club next summer, with their senior forwards Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund only managing three goals between them during the current season.

Zirkzee has not scored since the opening matchday of the 2024-25 Premier League season, while Hojlund has only found the back of the net on one occasion in England’s top flight this term.

Sporting Lisbon’s Gyokeres is thought to be their leading target, and the Sweden international recently discussed a possible switch to Old Trafford, but it appears that Osimhen is a genuine alternative.

The Nigerian has a record of 76 goals and 18 assists in 133 appearances for Napoli, while he has been excellent in the early stages of his career at Galatasaray.

Zirkzee has not yet shown enough to suggest that he can have a long-term career at Old Trafford, and if there is interest from Napoli in the Dutchman, then it could be the perfect outcome for both clubs.