Manchester United could have a lot more African interest next season with Victor Osimhen and Andre Onana both linked with moves.
Inter Milan goalkeeper Onana has been linked with a £50 million move to the Premier League with Chelsea or Manchester United.
Onana was a player at Ajax when current Manchester United Erik ten Tag was in charge of the Dutch side.
Onana is excellent with the ball at his feet and impressed during Inter’s run to the Champions League final.
The Cameroonian was thought to be the Blues top target but now mixed reports are confusing the matter.
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CHELSEA VS MANCHESTER UNITED OFF THE PITCH
Alternative options to Onana for Chelsea include Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili, Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel and Brentford’s David Raya.
Mamardashvili is thought to be Chelsea’s second-choice target, while there was interest in AC Milan and France No1 Mike Maignan but the club were put off by his £80m asking price.
United remain in contract talks with David de Gea, who will be a free agent next month if no agreement is reached and is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia.
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DE GEA TO BE REPLACED BY ONANA?
De Gea’s future will be resolved before any move for a new goalkeeper is launched.
Some reports suggest Chelsea will now move on to other targets, leaving Manchester United as favourites to sign a player expected to cost around £50 million.
United are weighing up their next move after becoming discouraged in their pursuit of Tottenham’s Harry Kane. Signing a top striker is a priority for Ten Hag but Spurs do not want to sell Kane and Napoli’s asking price for Victor Osimhen is prohibitive.
Atalanta’s Rasmus Højlund is a target, but the Dane is one for the future.
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United must also decide whether to improve their offer for the Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, after having an opening bid of £40m turned down. They could decide to spend heavily on a goalkeeper if they cannot sign a world-class No 9.
Nigeria Super Eagle forward Osimhen is the number one target for many leading European clubs after his excellent season at Napoli.
Chelsea, PSG and Manchester United are among the clubs linked with signing Napoli star.
OSIMHEN IS A EUROPEAN STAR
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has handed Chelsea a boost in their pursuit of the striker. According to reports from Italy, the Nigerian is refusing to sign a new deal with the Serie A champions after receiving offers from PSG and the Blues.
The report from Il Matino states that Roberto Calenda, his agent, recently held a meeting with the club’s owner over his future.
Osimhen featured 32 times for the Italian giants in Serie A this season, scoring 26 goals.
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While Napoli are, understandably, desperate to hold onto the Nigeria international, football.london understands that the Blues are considering a bid which could demand a record-breaking fee.
With Osimhen’s contract at Napoli set to expire in 18-months, he naturally becomes an attractive option – whether he becomes available for a discounted fee next year or simply a free agent in 2025.
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NAPOLI COACH PRAISES NIGERIA STAR
Luciano Spalletti was quizzed on the Nigerian’s future by DAZN. As quoted by Football Italia, the former Napoli boss said: “When players start working in a certain way, you identify their characteristics and find paths to give them service.
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“Osimhen is good in open spaces, in the air, with the ball passed to his feet. He will have an important future, no matter what team he plays in, and is above all a good lad too.
“His teammates love him, he helps them out and resolves situations rather than complains. He will become even more of a top player in future.”
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