Manchester United are ready to swap forward for a forward with rivals

According to reports, Manchester United is willing to let go of Joshua Zirkzee in order to outbid Chelsea for a long-term transfer target
Manchester

(Football news) The Red Devils have just begun a new era under Ruben Amorim, who took charge of his first training session on Monday ahead of the trip to Ipswich Town at the weekend.

For the first six weeks of his reign, the Portuguese will need to work with the players currently at his disposal as he bids to get Manchester United back into contention for Champions League qualification.

However, it is natural to expect that the 39-year-old will want to stamp his authority on the squad as soon as possible, targeting players more suited to his preferred 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 formations.

For that to be achieved, Manchester United will have to facilitate outgoings, particularly given no Champions League football on their schedule during 2024-25 and their excessive outlay in the summer.

One of the players signed during the previous transfer window was Zirkzee, the Netherlands international contributing just one goal from his seven starts and 10 substitute outings in all competitions.

United planning an ambitious move for Osimhen?

With no goal since the opening game of the season, the 23-year-old will realistically start Amorim’s tenure on the substitutes’ bench, while it has been suggested that United are already looking at ways to sell the £36.5 million addition.

According to multiple reports, United are prepared to include Zirkzee in any proposal for Napoli forward Victor Osimhen.

The Nigeria international is currently on a season-long loan stint at Galatasaray, having failed to secure a transfer to Chelsea or the Saudi Pro League earlier this year.

There is little prospect of Osimhen being reintegrated back into Antonio Conte’s squad in 2025, essentially leaving the 25-year-old’s representatives and Napoli to be open to offers throughout this campaign.

Clubs outside of Serie A can reportedly purchase Osimhen for £63 million next summer, United seemingly hopeful that proposing £25 million plus Zirkzee will be enough to get a deal over the line.

For that valuation of Zirkzee to remain realistic, though, his form will need to improve in the short term, regardless of previously impressing in Serie A with Bologna.

How may Chelsea respond?

Osimhen has already indicated that he is committed to remaining at Galatasaray for the entirety of this season, despite there being a mid-season break clause in his contract with the Turkish giants.

Chelsea already have Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku as their attacking options, albeit with the latter being linked with a January exit.

Unless Nkunku is sold, there is little to no prospect of Chelsea paying big money for Osimhen in January, but the situation may change in the summer.

Given the number of players on their books and their previous history of negotiating deals with their Napoli counterparts, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Chelsea could put forward their own player-plus-cash offer for Osimhen.

Also read: Manchester United receive major boost as key player returns from injury

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