Record English Premier League winners, Manchester United, refused to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli because of their previous experience with Romelu Lukaku, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 25-year-old was linked with a host of clubs like Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, and Manchester United, but none of these clubs were willing to pay his hefty release clause of €130m.
Osimhen ended up joining Turkish giants, Galatasaray, on a season-long loan, with a view of moving further when the spell ends.
Despite rumoured interests, Erik Ten Hag’s side did not make an official bid for the former LOSC Lille striker despite his impressive numbers in the Italian league.
In a report published by ESPN, it was revealed that the United hierarchy were sceptical of submitting an offer for Osimhen because he was impressing in a league where Romelu Lukaku also flourished after previously flopping at Old Trafford.
Lukaku had two stints with two top clubs in England, with Manchester United and Chelsea, and neither ended well for the Belgian striker. He fell out of favour with Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.
In 96 games for Manchester United, Lukaku scored 42 goals and provided 12 assists, while he recorded 15 goals and two assists in 59 games for Chelsea.
However, in an interesting turn of events, United spent £108.5m on two strikers from the same league Osimhen flourished, bringing in Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
The duo accounted for 22 goals and 11 assists in 89 Serie A games combined, while Osimhen scored 65 goals and provided 16 assists in 108 Serie A games for Napoli.
ESPN also noted that there was some concern at United about Osimhen’s ability to hold up the ball, but in general, it was a very poor decision by the recruitment staff at Old Trafford to not make an offer for the Galatasaray man.
Osimhen would’ve been the perfect fit for the Red Devils
Erik Ten Hag is known to be particular about his forwards pressing from the front, which is something Osimhen is very good at, as he charges tirelessly at defenders all ninety minutes whenever he’s on the football pitch.
Additionally, his towering presence up front will add more physicality to United’s front line. Zirkzee and Hojlund have not really got going this season, and while they need time to adapt to the needs of the English Premier League, getting Osimhen might have been a better option for the English giants as he’s a proven goalscorer up top, while the United duo function better in a two-striker system.
Osimhen’s future post-Galatasaray is still unknown at the moment, but according to Caught Offside, Chelsea are still keen on the services of the Napoli loanee, as they strive to provide stiff competition for Nicolas Jackson in attack.