Manchester United legend Andy Cole has urged his former club to prioritize the signing of Victor Osimhen over Harry Kane when the summer transfer window opens.
The two top-tier strikers are reportedly at the top of United's wishlist, but Cole believes that the 24-year-old Nigerian is a better long-term investment than the 30-year-old England captain.
Kane is out of contract in 2024, and there are doubts over whether he will sign a new deal with Tottenham Hotspur.
The North London club is currently in disarray, with manager Antonio Conte reportedly set to be sacked.
However, United may face a tough battle to sign Kane, given Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy's reputation as a tough negotiator.
In contrast, Osimhen has publicly expressed his desire to stay at Napoli and help the team achieve success in the future. Nevertheless, the Nigerian striker has never hidden that his ultimate dream is to play in the Premier League.
What was said?
In a chat with Manchester Evening News, Cole shared that Osimhen's youth and potential make him a better investment than Kane, despite the latter's proven track record as a prolific goalscorer.
“Kane is 30 years old next season, and Osimhen is currently 24 years old, and he’s already done a lot at his age, too,” Cole said.
“Italian football is difficult, but there will be no doubts that he can adapt to the Premier League.”
Cole also pointed out that Osimhen is close in age to Erling Haaland, one of the most sought-after strikers in world football.
“If Haaland stays at Manchester City for another four years, he’ll still be worth £100million or more, so it depends on what Manchester United are looking for,” Cole said.
Ultimately, the decision will rest with United's management team, and it remains to be seen whether they will heed Cole's advice.
However, it is clear that the Red Devils will have to pay a hefty sum to secure the services of either Kane or Osimhen, given the negotiating skills of their respective club owners.
