Man Utd’s dream striker target opens talks as summer transfer saga takes new twist

Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for Victor Osimhen but Juventus have now come to the negotiation table as they look to land the Napoli striker

Juventus have entered the race to sign Victor Osimhen, who has attracted huge interest this summer with Manchester United also keen on the Nigerian. His time at Napoli looks to be up and the Old Lady want to keep him in Italy.

They’ve resumed talks with their arch rivals, who have just claimed the Serie A title but have backed Romelu Lukaku as their main man in attack. Osimhen spent last season out on loan with Galatasaray, where he continued to be prolific.

There are a number of frontmen tipped to be on the move this summer and Gazzetta claim that Osimhen remains Juventus’ primary target in attack so club representatives resumed talks with the striker’s agents in recent days.

Osimhen has a €75million (£64m) release clause but that is only valid for clubs outside Serie A, which means the Bianconeri must negotiate a transfer fee with Napoli, which could prove challenging.

Viktor Gyokeres, another man who is also linked with a move to Manchester, is expected to leave Sporting Lisbon but Juventus have Osimhen ahead of the Swedish striker on their own shortlist.

READ MORE: Man Utd told dream striker signing is ‘waiting for them’ after Viktor Gyokeres twistREAD MORE: Viktor Gyokeres’ monster £11m contract offer sees club put EIGHT players up for sale

The Nigerian has already turned down a mammoth offer from Al-Hilal, which has underlined his desire to remain in Europe. Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Osimhen “must be waiting” for the Premier League giants to come calling.

He said on Rio Ferdinand Presents : “No.9, they already know who I want. The comments know, the people know who I want, who I would go and get: Osimhen! It looks like he’s turned down Al Hilal… he must be waiting for Man United. I don’t know if Man United are going to come. That’s the problem.”

Osimhen only has a year left on his deal in Naples which will put his club under pressure to sell as the summer goes on. He has previously been linked with a move to Chelsea, but that never materialised last summer.

United have already landed Matheus Cunha this summer but remain on the hunt for a No.9 having missed out on Liam Delap. Their lack of European football could hamper them in some negotiations but they retain an interest in the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Gyokeres.

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