Napoli identify three potential targets for Osimhen swap deal as Manchester United talks heat up

2023 Serie A winners, Napoli, have identified three potential candidates for a swap deal as talks with Manchester United over a move for Victor Osimhen intensify, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osimhen won the league with Napoli about eighteen months ago and attempted to force a move away from the club a year later, but none of the parties interested in him were willing to fork out the €130m release clause in the Nigerian’s clause.

As a result, the 25-year-old joined Turkish Super Lig side, Galatasaray, on a season-long loan, and has scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 12 games for the Cimbom Aslan.

His top form has seen him on the books of Manchester United who have struggled in front of goal this season, with their most recent mishap coming in their 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth.

As per TBR, Antonio Conte’s Napoli are exploring the option of allowing Osimhen to leave in a player exchange deal. Manchester United have been approached with the chance to sign the ex-LOSC Lille striker and the club’s footballing department, led by Joe Wilcox, are considering the deal.

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The Red Devils have been offered the chance to sign Osimhen but they’re currently unable to afford a £60m deal. With a swap deal on the cards, Napoli are considering the inclusion of one of United’s trio of attackers in Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford.

A move to Serie A?

Marcus Rashford has not played any of United’s last three games, not even making the bench as Ruben Amorim has left the England international out of the team’s matchday squad. The player himself has also made several statements hinting his time at the Theatre of Dreams is coming to an end.

The 27-year-old revealed he wouldn’t turn a new challenge down, and with Conte known for his expertise in winning the Serie A, a move to Naples could appeal to the Carrington graduate who is currently frustrated at Old Trafford.

Hojlund and Zirkzee have played in the Serie A, and a return to Italy wouldn’t be out of the question for the two young strikers. Zirkzee, who only joined United in the summer, has growing interest from Juventus as well, but it is unlikely the Dutchman will exit Old Trafford as he’ll struggle to break into the Old Ladies’ first team.

Chelsea are long-term admirers of Osimhen and both parties held talks in the summer. The Blues continue to monitor the 2023 CAF POTY as they look to upgrade on their first-choice forward, Nicolas Jackson.