Conflicting reports over Osimhen’s future continues as link with Man Utd won’t go away

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen's future continues to generate debate which has refused to subside.

Though several clubs have shown interest in the Napoli striker, Manchester United seem determined to sign him this January window.

Reports say Napoli wants to sell and Man Utd are ready to pay but there are conflicting reports about Osimhen’s stand.

While he has stated publicly several times that he will not leave Galatasaray until the summer there are insinuations that he is open to a move.

 Elsewhere, Napoli is reported to be infuriated by Osimhen's reluctance to leave Galatasaray in January, even with Manchester United approaching.

The striker had signed a new contract in December 2023 with the express intention of leaving six months later for his €120m release clause.

However, when no club went anywhere near that figure and even cheaper deals with Chelsea and Saudi Pro League sides collapsed on deadline day, the Nigeria international joined Galatasaray on loan in September 2024.

Napoli was hoping he would revitalise his form and do enough to earn a bid for his €81m release clause in January.

However, now La Repubblica newspaper claims that even when Manchester United did step forward to make it happen, Osimhen replied to director Giovanni Manna that he wanted to remain with Galatasaray until the end of the season.

This infuriated president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who saw it as yet another example of Osimhen trying to make his situation difficult for Napoli.

If he is not sold by the end of this season, then his release clause will drop to €75m.

Osimhen’s loan agreement includes a break clause that allows for a potential early exit if a club activates his release clause. Napoli reportedly set this clause at €90 million but rumors suggest it could be lowered to €75 million to facilitate a transfer. As Osimhen considers his future, it appears he is eager to return to a top European league after his stint in Turkey.

With preliminary talks reportedly underway, both Osimhen and Manchester United seem motivated to finalize a deal that could see him don the Red Devils’ colours in January. The coming weeks will be crucial as United aims to strengthen their squad and improve their standing in the league.