Manchester United are reportedly plotting an ambitious move for Napoli’s star striker Victor Osimhen. To seal the deal, the Red Devils are considering offering struggling forward Joshua Zirkzee in a player-plus-cash exchange.
Zirkzee’s short-lived stint at United
Joshua Zirkzee arrived at Manchester United just six months ago in a £37 million transfer from Bologna.
The 23-year-old forward, once seen as a rising talent, has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford. With just one goal in 17 appearances, Zirkzee’s performances have fallen short of expectations.
New manager Ruben Amorim appears unconvinced of Zirkzee’s potential to lead United’s attack. The Dutch forward has seen his game time shrink, particularly under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who relegated him to a substitute role.
Reports now suggest Zirkzee could leave as early as January, with United exploring options to offload him while pursuing reinforcements for their forward line.
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Osimhen: The priority for Man Utd
Victor Osimhen has emerged as Manchester United’s primary target to strengthen their attack. The Nigerian forward is a proven goal-scorer and has been a standout performer for Napoli.
However, his release clause stands at a hefty €75 million (£63 million), making a direct purchase challenging for United.
To lower the cost, the club is preparing a €30 million (£25 million) cash offer, sweetened by Zirkzee’s inclusion in the deal. This swap proposal could appeal to Napoli, who might see Zirkzee as a valuable addition to their squad.
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Challenges ahead
Despite United’s plan, there are hurdles. Osimhen’s reported wages of €11 million (£9 million) per season could strain the club’s budget.
Additionally, Napoli will need to be convinced that Zirkzee fits their system and is worth considering in the trade.
On the other hand, Zirkzee has already attracted interest from Juventus, where his former Bologna coach Thiago Motta reportedly sees him as a backup option.
Juventus could complicate United’s efforts to involve Zirkzee in the Osimhen deal if they push hard for the Dutch striker.
Joshua Zirkzee: the bigger picture
For Manchester United, the January window represents an opportunity to reshape their attack. While Zirkzee’s time at Old Trafford may have been disappointing so far, leveraging his potential in a swap deal could be a clever move.
As Amorim looks to build a competitive squad, the pursuit of Osimhen shows the club’s intent to invest in proven talent. Whether this ambitious plan succeeds remains to be seen.