Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen has only been with current club Lille since the start of the 2019/20 campaign but his performances suggest that he is in line for an early move away from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
A record of 18 goals in 38 games across all competitions has alerted some of the top clubs around Europe and as teams look ahead to the next transfer window, Manchester United appear to be in pole position.
Obvious Need
“Demarcus Beasley and Romelu Lukaku” (CC BY 2.0) by EDrost88
Other sides will battle the Red Devils for Osimhen’s signature but Manchester United have the cash and they have a gaping gap to fill at the top of the pitch. Marcus Rashford will return to the starting XI following his long term injury but the club failed to adequately replace Romelu Lukaku when the Belgian left for Inter Milan last summer.
In his absence, Rashford and Anthony Martial have compensated to an extent but United’s issues were underlined when they made the shock move to sign former Watford striker Odion Ighalo on loan. Ighalo’s love of the club has made him a fans’ favourite and he’s performed adequately on the pitch. But he’s not a long term solution and is scheduled to return to parent club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.
Missing Piece
“Old Trafford, Manchester” (CC BY 2.0) by Sean MacEntee
Manchester United have a lot to play for as we get ready for the season’s run-in. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken the club to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and in the Premier League betting market for the top-four finish, a surge in form has put the Red Devils among the favourites.
Much of the recent improvement is down to the arrival of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon. Fernandes’ assists have the potential to get Manchester United back among English football’s elite but the midfielder will be desperate for a potent striker to get on the end of those chances.
Perfect Fit?
Some reports suggest that Solskjaer has made Osimhen a priority this summer as he looks for a vital piece in his Manchester United jigsaw. It’s claimed within those stories that the striker has the perfect style of play to suit the English game and while there could be competition from Liverpool and Real Madrid, the lure of playing at Old Trafford might be enough to sway the deal.
Prior to joining Lille in July 2019, Osimhen spent two seasons at VfL Wolfsburg in Germany but, after failing to find the net in 14 games, he was loaned out to Belgian Pro League side Charleroi where his career started to blossom.
20 goals in 36 matches in 2018/19 persuaded Lille to act but his steady record means that the 21-year-old may be on the move once again. Manchester United, among others, will have also noted that Osimhen has scored four goals in his last seven full internationals for Nigeria. At such a young age he’s a huge prospect but where will Victor Osimhen be playing his football in 2020/21?
