Man Utd transfer agreement infuriates selling club as lethal striker’s value is raised to ‘indecent’ amount
In the wake of Man Utd nearing a deal for Napoli defender Kim Min-jae, the Serie A champions have reportedly increased their asking price for Victor Osimhen.
Man Utd seem to have been making plenty of progress with their pursuit of Kim recently. The centre-back has enjoyed a dominant debut season in Italian football after joining Napoli from Fenerbahce.
But a release clause in his contract is making Napoli vulnerable ahead of the summer transfer window. Man Utd are ready to upgrade their defence again and appear to be in pole position for Kim.
Simultaneously, they are interested in Osimhen, who has shone for Napoli at the other end of the pitch. Indeed, no one else has scored as many goals in Serie A this season.
But while Kim is gettable via an exit clause that represents good value for money, Osimhen’s price tag is up to Napoli to decide – and they are not going to let him leave without a fight.
According to Il Mattino, Napoli have now increased their asking price for Osimhen again amid fears of losing Kim for less than he is really worth.
Now, Man Utd would have to make an ‘indecent offer’ in the region of €160m (£140m) in order to tempt Napoli into doing business for Osimhen.
That would come on top of the €60m (£52m) investment in Kim, making a potential double deal worth €220m or £192m.
Osimhen, for his part in the deal, would become Man Utd’s all-time record signing if they decided to go ahead with a £140m bid (which already would have been the case at his supposed previous valuation of £130m too).
He is one of the main striker targets the club have been considering as they search for an upgrade on Wout Weghorst. There have also been frequent links with Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane.
However, there are doubts as to whether Tottenham would sell to a domestic rival. Therefore, neither of Man Utd’s main options to strengthen up front would be easy to acquire.
But at least they know the parameters for a deal for Osimhen, while Kane’s future remains a mystery.
Osimhen could follow Kim to Man Utd
Promisingly, the report says the only two ‘untouchable’ players in Napoli’s squad are Khvicha Kvarateskhelia and Stanislav Lobotka. Aurelio De Laurentiis could listen to offers for Osimhen – who is only under contract until 2025 – but only for the right, extortionate price.
For now, the focus at Old Trafford will be on wrapping up a deal for Kim, who the report says has agreed to join Man Utd in the summer. Because of the release clause, his word will be final, leaving Napoli powerless.
His ‘yes’ to Erik ten Hag will mean there will be pressure on Raphael Varane for a starting place at centre-back alongside Lisandro Martinez now. Further down the pecking order, the likes of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof might have to consider their futures.
A recent report revealed what Man Utd’s asking price would be to let go of Maguire.
