Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has been named on Manchester United’s four-man striker shortlist for the upcoming summer transfer window, as the Premier League club looks to strengthen its attacking lineup.
United is expected to enter the market for a new striker following struggles from Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, who have yet to find consistent form this season. Zirkzee has scored only six goals in 44 appearances since joining from Bologna, while Hojlund has managed eight goals in 39 matches across all competitions. Their lack of firepower has contributed to United’s underwhelming goal tally of 37 in 29 league games, ranking them among the lowest-scoring teams in the Premier League.
According to journalist Florian Plettenburg, Osimhen is one of four strikers being monitored by United ahead of the summer window. Currently on loan at Galatasaray, the Nigerian international has been in sensational form, netting 26 goals in 30 appearances, including 20 in 22 league matches, making him the top scorer in the Turkish Super Lig. He is set to return to Napoli at the end of the season but is expected to make a permanent move elsewhere before the 2025/26 campaign.
Reports suggest Osimhen is interested in a move to Old Trafford despite being linked with Paris Saint-Germain and other top European clubs.
Alongside Osimhen, Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres is also a key target for United. Manager Ruben Amorim has firsthand experience with Gyokeres, who has been prolific at Sporting. Additionally, the club is keeping an eye on Bundesliga strikers Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig) and Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt). Sesko, who has drawn interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, has scored 17 goals and provided six assists in 36 matches this season. Ekitike, meanwhile, has tallied 19 goals and eight assists in 38 games, including 13 goals in the Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, Napoli is reportedly considering Hojlund as a potential replacement for Osimhen.
Osimhen is currently on international duty with the Super Eagles as they prepare for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Reflecting on Nigeria’s failed qualification for the 2022 World Cup, he expressed determination to avoid a repeat in 2026:
“It’s a dream of every footballer to play at the World Cup, and with our situation in the group, I am desperate, like other players, to make it to the 2026 tournament,” Osimhen said. “We suffered a big disappointment in 2022, and we simply can’t let it happen again—to us, the country, and our generation.”
