Ten Hag could sign Man United’s answer to Osimhen in “electric” £17m “phenomenon”
It is not particularly surprising that Manchester United will try to recruit a new center-forward this summer. The question at hand is who will be the player to lead the team’s attack for the foreseeable future.
Manager Erik ten Hag allegedly wants to bring in a “world-class” number nine before the 2017 season, according to the Manchester Evening News. Both Victor Osimhen of Napoli and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur have been suggested as potential top targets.
In the case of the latter player, the Nigerian striker’s outstanding performance in aiding the Serie A squad in capturing the Scudetto has brought him further fame. In just 29 league games this season, he has scored 23 goals, and in just six Champions League games, he has scored an additional five goals.
The 24-year-old is a player who is on the “same level” as Erling Haaland of Manchester City, claims journalist Tom Colomosse. Though there are rumors that Luciano Spalletti’s squad may seek as much as €150 million (£130 million) for the former Lille star, he won’t be able to leave Naples without a battle.
Such a high asking price would likely exceed United’s budget given that Ten Hag is supposedly going to have £100 million to work with this summer before player sales, prompting the need to look at alternative targets if an agreement on Osimhen’s valuation cannot be achieved.
Right now, it appears like Osimhen’s fellow countryman Gift Orban may be a less expensive alternative that the Red Devils have already identified for the post. According to recent rumors in Belgium, the Old Trafford crew has been looking at the Gent potential.
Should Man United acquire Gift Orban?
The gifted 20-year-old, who lately demonstrated his ability to be incredibly prolific and clinical, similar to his fellow Nigerian, may very well be United’s answer to Osimhen.
A talent scout named Jacek Kulig lauded Orban as “electric” and someone who is “born to score” due to the 19 goals he has scored in just 19 appearances for the Pro League squad this season. Orban previously had 19 goals and 7 assists in just 24 games with the Stabaek squad of Norway.
The unquestionably talented 5 foot 10 ace has already been compared to the Napoli legend due to his outstanding start to life at the senior level. Ben Jacobs, a CBS correspondent, stated earlier this year:
Furthermore, given that both of them are from Nigeria, he inexorably draws comparisons to Victor Osimhen. Despite being a little bit smaller than Osimhen, he is clinical, intelligent, and well-aware. He also has no fear of moving his body.
Osmihen-Man-United-Orban-Premier-League-transfer
The teenage player, who decided to go to Belgium earlier this year, may be following in the footsteps of his countryman Osimhen. Prior to this, Osimhen had a stellar run with Pro League club Charleroi, when he scored 20 goals in just 36 games.
The aim at United is that young Orban, who has already established himself as a true “phenomenon,” would join Ten Hag this summer and take a more direct road to England. This is according to Hein Vanhaezebrouck, Orban’s manager. The 25-cap marksman has since prospered in France and, more recently, Italy.
The cost of Osimhen’s departure from the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium is anticipated to be enormous, making the Gent star far more alluring with a fee closer to €50m (£44m), as suggested by Vanhaezebrouck, while transfer expert Fabrizio Romano suggested the asking price could be closer to €20m (£17m) last month.
In either scenario, United might consider the rising star to be valuable.