Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is emerging as a serious alternative target for Manchester United if their primary pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres is unsuccessful.
Swedish forward Gyokeres` relationship with Sporting Lisbon reportedly soured after the Portuguese club tried to increase his asking price despite previously agreeing he could leave for £59 million.
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Credit: Getty
While Ruben Amorim hopes to sign the former Brighton and Coventry striker, who scored 57 goals in 57 appearances under him at Sporting, United are also aware that Osimhen is available.
The Nigerian spent the last season on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, where he was not part of Antonio Conte`s plans.
The 26-year-old Osimhen scored 32 goals in 37 games for the Istanbul club. Galatasaray wants him to stay, but Saudi clubs like Al-Hilal have also joined the bidding.
However, no deal has been finalized yet, and Osimhen seems open to exploring all his options, including a potential transfer to the Premier League.
But the striker`s contract at Galatasaray is believed to be worth £300,000 per week after tax. In the UK, this would translate to roughly £500,000 weekly before tax – a wage figure Manchester United cannot afford.
Nevertheless, a move for Osimhen hasn`t been completely ruled out, given the uncertainty surrounding Gyokeres. However, regardless of who joins (following the £62 million signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves), significant player sales will be necessary.
Potential Departures at Old Trafford?
Speaking of players who might leave, United could potentially generate funds from two players widely considered unlikely to have a future under Amorim.
Analysts at the Swiss-based CIES Football Observatory recently published their updated ranking of the world`s 100 most valuable players.
The top of the list, which includes Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham in the top three, is occupied by Barcelona`s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, valued at an astonishing £343 million.
Premier League clubs feature heavily, with 42 players in the top 100 playing in England.
However, reflecting issues at Old Trafford over the past decade, the only two United players on the list are Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, both considered “unwanted.”
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Danish forward Hojlund is ranked 52nd with a value of £68 million.
Considering his difficulties settling in since his £72 million move from Atalanta, United`s financial team would eagerly accept an offer close to that figure. However, the club needs to recover £38 million just to cover the remaining amortization costs on his five-year contract.
Garnacho is ranked 85th and valued at £54 million. Selling him would represent “pure profit” under PSR rules, should a deal occur.
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Share Price Rebound
There`s some rare positive news for Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding Manchester United off the pitch, as the club`s share price has recovered.
United`s shares dropped to less than £10 each immediately after the Europa League Final loss to Spurs, a 60 percent decrease from the £26 per share Ratcliffe paid for his total £1.487 billion investment last year.
This decline was a public reaction to the £100 million revenue shortfall expected next season after United`s worst campaign since being relegated in 1974.
Consequently, the club`s market capitalization plummeted from the £4.54 billion implied by Ratcliffe`s purchases to just £1.72 billion.
However, the past month has brought a change in fortunes, with share prices on the New York Stock Exchange briefly reaching a 2025 high of £14.51 each on Monday.
By the close of business on Wednesday, the price had slightly decreased, but the club`s total value has recovered to just under £2.5 billion.
Sir Jim will be hoping for a similar turnaround in the team`s performance on the pitch next season.
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Financial Challenges
The debt incurred under the Glazers continues to significantly impact Old Trafford, as highlighted by the latest Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance.
According to the figures, while United`s net debt of £482 million is less than the £793 million owed by Spurs for their new stadium, the cost for Ratcliffe and Ineos to service United`s debt is considerably higher.
United`s debt repayments amounted to £61 million in the 2023-24 season, compared to Tottenham`s £47 million debt servicing cost.
Deloitte reported that United`s wage bill during Erik ten Hag`s last full season was £365 million, ranking only behind Manchester City and Liverpool. This represented 55 percent of their £662 million revenues.
The cost of past transfer errors is burdensome, with United incurring £186 million in “amortization costs” (the seasonal cost of player transfers spread over their contract length). Additionally, Ineos provided a further £159 million cash injection.
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Media Department Changes
Finding a positive spin for Manchester United is difficult, especially after last season`s performance.
It`s perhaps unsurprising that the club is currently advertising for two positions within its internal media department at Old Trafford.
They are seeking a Director of Communications and a Media Director as they prepare for the 2025/26 season.
Ugarte`s Kit Reveal Mishap
Manuel Ugarte might face disciplinary action upon his return to Carrington for pre-season training next month.
The Uruguayan midfielder prematurely revealed United`s new home shirt on his social media accounts a few hours before the scheduled announcement.
This might have been due to the time difference while he was on break in South America, but many attentive United fans noticed the mistake.
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Rashford`s Fitness and Future
Marcus Rashford appears keen to show potential admirers he is nearing full fitness after injury affected his final weeks of the season.
The England forward posted videos this week showing him training in warm weather.
He also shared footage of himself playing padel, which drew playful comments from former teammates Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.
Rashford is aware that returning to the squad seems unlikely, so time is running out for him to find a new club.
With United returning to training at Carrington in just over three weeks, Rashford is likely hoping to secure a move beforehand to avoid an awkward situation.
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Marcus Bellamy