Manchester United have reportedly identified Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen as one of four potential striker targets for the upcoming summer transfer window. The Premier League side is eager to strengthen its attacking department, according to PUNCH Sports Extra. With current strikers Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund struggling for consistency this season, United are set to explore the market for reinforcements.
Zirkzee, who joined from Bologna last summer, has managed only six goals in 44 appearances, while Højlund has netted eight times in 39 games across all competitions. Their lack of firepower has contributed to United’s poor goal return, with just 37 goals scored in 29 league fixtures—ranking them behind 13 other Premier League teams in terms of goalscoring.
German journalist Florian Plettenburg has reported that Osimhen is one of four strikers under consideration by Manchester United ahead of the summer window. The Nigerian forward, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray, has been in sensational form, scoring 26 goals in 30 games, including 20 goals in 22 league matches, making him the Turkish Super Lig’s top scorer.
Although Osimhen is set to return to Napoli at the end of the season, speculation suggests he will leave the Italian club on a permanent transfer. Reports also indicate that the Nigerian striker has a strong desire to join Manchester United, despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain and other European heavyweights.
In addition to Osimhen, Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres is also being considered by the Red Devils. United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, has worked closely with Gyökeres during their time together at Sporting and is well aware of the Swedish striker’s goal-scoring abilities.
Meanwhile, the club is monitoring two Bundesliga forwards—RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké. Šeško, who is also being tracked by Arsenal and Liverpool, has registered 17 goals and six assists in 36 appearances this season. Ekitiké, on the other hand, has scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in 38 games, with 13 of those goals coming in 25 Bundesliga outings.
Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Napoli could make a move for United’s Rasmus Højlund as they seek a successor to Osimhen. At the international level, Osimhen is currently with Nigeria’s Super Eagles as they prepare for crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Reflecting on the team’s ambitions, he emphasized the importance of securing a spot in the tournament. “Playing at the World Cup is every footballer’s dream. Given our current position in the qualifiers, we are determined to make it to the 2026 edition,” Osimhen stated. He further added, “Missing out in 2022 was a painful experience, and we cannot allow history to repeat itself. This is a mission for our team, our nation, and our generation.”
