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New Napoli boss Antonio Conte has confirmed that reported Manchester United striker target Victor Osimhen is on track to get a transfer this summer.
United’s interest in Osimhen can be traced as far back as last summer when he and Harry Kane were Erik ten Hag’s top two picks for the number nine position.
Needless to say, a deal never got over the line. This was partly due to Napoli’s excessive asking price and also the player’s own reluctance to leave the Diego Armando Stadium after playing a crucial role in their sensational 2022/23 campaign that saw them win the Scudetto.
Last term, Osimhen saw his numbers in front of goal take a nosedive as Napoli struggled to replicate their fine performances.
The Nigerian superstar managed 15 goals and three assists in 25 Serie A appearances.
United are believed to have maintained their admiration for Osimhen and considering the Red Devils are in the market for a reliable talisman to support young Rasmus Hojlund, links to the Napoli man have resurfaced.
A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Erik ten Hag’s side are prepared to include Mason Greenwood as a makeweight in any deal to lure Osimhen to Old Trafford.
If United are indeed keen on landing the 25-year-old, then Conte’s recent comments will give them plenty of encouragement in their pursuit.
Conte spoke to the media for the first time since his appointment as Napoli head coach and explained that while he has assurances that the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Frank Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka will not be sold, he could not say the same about Osimhen.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss remarked, “As far as Osimhen is concerned, just as I knew very well about the situation of Kvara, Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, on which I have placed an absolute veto.”
“Having said that, I know what the situation is regarding Osimhen. I know that there are agreements, that it is a situation different from all the others. I can only assist.”
“He is a player of the highest level, exceptional, but I cannot enter into any discussion because it is part of previous agreements which have been clearly stated to me.”
Journalist Aurelio Capaldi also spoke on Duncan Castles’ podcast and admitted that Osimhen is indeed likely to seek a new adventure away from Naples.
Capaldi pointed out, “The most probable destination for Romelu Lukaku is Napoli because Antonio Conte wants him, they have a very good relationship. And they’re talking about OSimhen, when Conte signed for Napoli he already knew Osimhen would go.”
“Aurelio de Laurentiis immediately said to him Osimhen, it had already been arranged that he would leave Napoli, so they couldn’t count on him and Conte immediately asked for Lukaku.”
Whether United swoop in for Osimhen will almost certainly depend on his price tag. During a window in which the 20-time English champions need to be prudent in their spending to avoid breaching PSR regulations, they’re unlikely to be in a position to fork out big money on just one star.
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