Victor Osimhen could provide the perfect replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United (Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Old Trafford could target the Nigerian bomber to replace Christiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United will have to pay a hefty price to bring in Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential replacement Victor Osimhen following Gary Neville’s prediction, Justin Lawrence writes for the Daily Star,
Ronaldo’s second stint at United is coming to an ugly end after his latest spat with the Red Devils. The Portugal international received a fine and banishment from the first team following his petulant strop against Tottenham last week.
The 37-year-old will likely be allowed to leave Old Trafford in January, although Neville, who thinks they’re better off without him, wants him gone next week. Last week, Neville said: “Cristiano is too good of a player, too fantastic of a character, and the club has got to move on.”
Ronaldo’s exit will make room for a new striker to take his place – with Napoli ace Osimhen high on the list of targets. The Nigerian’s attacking prowess was on show when he sunk ex-United boss Jose Mourinho’s Roma side with a ferocious volley on Sunday, his fourth goal in seven Serie A games.
Osimhen’s input has helped propel Napoli to the top of the Serie A table. They also sit at the summit of their Champions League group, above Liverpool, who thumped 4-1 in September.
Osimhen could be the ideal replacement for Ronaldo, who could leave in January (Image: Getty Images)
His impact means United will have to spend big if they want to persuade Napoli to let their prized asset leave. Napoli is acutely aware of his value and has slapped an eye-watering £87million price tag on the 23-year-old, although they have no plans to let him go, according to Calciomercato.
But United legend Neville reckons Ronaldo should quit the club next week (Image: Getty Images)
Osimhen and Napoli are focused on bringing the Scudetto to Naples this season, making United’s chances of signing him even slimmer, the report added. The Italian publication’s claims enjoy the support of transfer guru Fabrizio Romano who declared that Napoli intends to retain the Nigerian attacker they forked out £81m for in 2020.
Plus, Erik ten Hag’s side faces stiff competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea and Newcastle, who are also keen on the striker. But it’s not all doom and gloom for United if Osimhen stays in Italy; Ronaldo’s exit will allow the revitalized Marcus Rashford to shine in Ten Hag’s revamped United side this season.
