Yahoo Sports Man Utd set to make another grave mistake by signing injury-prone Napoli loanee
Manchester United and Napoli could reportedly arrange a high-profile swap deal involving Marcus Rashford and Victor Osimhen.
The Red Devils are weighing up offering their homegrown forward in exchange for Osimhen as a last-ditch attempt to acquire a prolific goalscorer.
Desperate time, desperate measures
It’s no secret that the Red Devils are in dire need of a scoring machine.
Four Premier League sides have bagged fewer goals than Man Utd’s 21 this season, making the acquisition of a new striker an absolute imperative.
Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP ticks all the boxes but commands a steep price.
However, the Red Devils have become synonymous with splashing the cash, so meeting the Portuguese’s side demands shouldn’t be an issue.
Like Gyokeres, Osimhen is among the most expensive assets in the market despite his wobble in Naples.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis remains confident of cashing in on his wantaway star and would likely accept United’s offer.
Whether it would be the right move for Man Utd is debatable.
Injury prone & inconsistent
Osimhen carries an elite status, yet he has been prone to injuries and inconsistency since leaving Lille in 2020.
He was the architect of Napoli’s first Scudetto in 33 years in the 2022/23 season. Other than that, his performances were average at best.
Despite tallying 15 goals from 25 Serie A appearances last season, the Nigerian’s form flattered to deceive.
The numbers have gone up at Galatasaray this season.
However, dominating the Turkish Super Lig is one thing, but replicating that in the Premier League is an entirely different proposition.
The challenges are hardly comparable.
Learn from past mistakes
In addition to Osimhen’s dubious fitness condition and long-term form oscillations, United must review their recent transfer dealings.
Less than two years ago, they forked out £64 million to sign Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta. A year later, Bologna received a handsome £36.5m for Joshua Zirkzee’s switch to Old Trafford.
Both players reigned supreme in Serie A but have flopped in England.
United would be forgiven for believing this deal would see them kill two birds with one stone, but it could prove to be another desperate act.
Given the circumstances, mistakes are a luxury Man Utd can no longer afford. Osimhen’s potential arrival has all the makings of another costly gamble.
