Manchester United still have hope for Victor Osimhen transfer – thanks to curious new contract clause: report

Mark White
·2 min read
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Manchester United target Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring the 1-0 goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 29, 2023 in Naples, Italy.
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Manchester United have been given fresh hope in the ongoing saga over Victor Osimhen of Napoli.

The Nigerian is coming off the season of his life, having netted 26 times in 32 games as I Partenopei clinched their first Scudetto in three decades. Osimhen has been linked with a plethora of European giants since but seems to have been priced out of leaving by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

In February, journalist Ciro Venerato claimed on Rai 2 show La Domenica Sportiva that the Napoli star is worth around £140 million to Napoli – but new developments could see Erik ten Hag get his man.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag during the Pre-Season Friendly fixture between Manchester United and Leeds United at Ullevaal Stadion on July 12, 2023 in Oslo, Norway.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag during the Pre-Season Friendly fixture between Manchester United and Leeds United at Ullevaal Stadion on July 12, 2023 in Oslo, Norway.

Sky Italia are reporting that contract talks are taking place between Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, and De Laurentiis – but there is some difference in opinion over the release clause inserted into the new deal.

Apparently, Napoli are angling to increase the buyout option to an astonishing £173m, which would make the striker the second-most expensive footballer of all time if it ever gets triggered. Osimhen, however, would prefer the fee to be around £100m – giving the green light to United to lock in a bid.

CBS Sports' Ben Jacobs has previously told Caught Offside that United manager Ten Hag is "obsessed" with Osimhen, though Napoli famously drive a hard bargain.

Part of the issue is said to stem from the original transfer of Osimhen from Lille in 2020, when the Serie A giants paid around £70m for the then-21-year-old's services. Napoli are rumoured to have placed a high sell-on fee in the deal to bring Osimhen to southern Italy – though this is unsubstantiated.

Victor Osimhen of Nigeria sings the Nigerian national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying match between Nigeria and Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on March 29, 2022 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Victor Osimhen of Nigeria sings the Nigerian national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying match between Nigeria and Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on March 29, 2022 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Nigerian striker previously told Italian outlet, Corriere Della Sera that playing in the Premier League, “is an ambition of all players”.

Osimhen is valued at €120m by Transfermarkt.

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