Victor Osimhen transfer: Man United told how to fix Harry Kane mistake

In Victor Osimhen, Manchester United have another chance to solve a striker problem that Louis Saha believes started with Harry Kane, Soccernet.ng reports.

The former United forward says the club missed a major opportunity when Kane left Tottenham for Bayern Munich in 2023. Saha now believes Barcelona-linked Osimhen could give United the answer they need, while also creating an interesting partnership with Benjamin Sesko.

United were strongly linked with Kane in 2023. The England captain had one year left on his Tottenham contract, but Spurs were not keen to sell him to a Premier League rival. United eventually moved for Rasmus Højlund, while Kane joined Bayern in a deal worth up to £100 million. Kane later said there had been talks with several clubs but that Bayern was the right choice for him.

The decision still attracts debate at Old Trafford. Kane had scored 30 Premier League goals in the 2022-23 season, despite Tottenham finishing outside the Champions League places. United wanted a striker and knew Kane could produce goals in England without needing a long adjustment period.

Three years later, Saha believes Osimhen offers United another chance. The Nigeria international has won league titles in Italy and Turkey and has produced strong numbers at Napoli and Galatasaray.

Saha's Kane warning and the Osimhen opportunity

Saha's argument is that United need a striker who can turn limited chances into goals. He believes Osimhen has that quality and says the 27-year-old has a personal connection with the club.

“I know for a fact that Victor Osimhen is a Manchester United fan,” Saha told MrGamble via the Metro. “He loves Man United. I have seen it in his eyes, the impact the club has on him, and he sees the impact he could have on this team.”

Saha also compared Osimhen with Erling Haaland because of his ability to score without needing constant possession.

“He is a very confident player. He is like Erling Haaland. He doesn’t need to see the ball very often to score goals. If he is not getting the chances he needs, he will demand them.”

Saha believes that hunger is important for United. He added:

“This is the type of player United need to sign. You look at his experience. He has scored 20 goals every season. He has the character, the belief, he works hard and he is unpredictable.”

Osimhen, who looks set to stay at Galatasaray following Rafael Leao's arrival, has already produced evidence that he can operate as a high-volume scorer. His first Galatasaray season brought 37 goals in all competitions, including 26 in the Süper Lig. He also scored seven times in ten UEFA Champions League appearances last term.

Saha also believes Osimhen could add more than goals.

“He can make assists and he would be a good fit for the Premier League, physically. There is absolutely no doubt about that.

“Osimhen can be another player like Bruno Fernandes. He would quickly come to know the club inside and out. All United have to do is make the connection but that’s why it hasn’t happened yet. Osimhen is still waiting.”

Then came his strongest criticism of United's past transfer decision.

“United missed out on signing Harry Kane and that was one of their biggest mistakes in the transfer market but they can correct that mistake by signing Osimhen.”

Why Osimhen could work with Sesko

Saha's most interesting argument is not that Osimhen should replace Sesko. He believes the two strikers could help each other.

“I think Osimhen is a better fit for United now than Kane because of Benjamin Sesko. Osimhen can teach Sesko about movement and being a striker but they could also play together and combine better than Kane and Sesko could.

“I can see it in how they each like to play. Not in every game but in some games it would make sense, and the rest of the time they could give each other some healthy competition.”

Saha used his own United career to explain the idea.

“We had four strikers when I played for Manchester United. I didn’t have the same style of play as Ruud van Nistelrooy or Alan Smith or Carlos Tevez but we managed to find our own separate ways because the manager was good enough to let us compete in a healthy way.

“That’s what United need and Osimhen would give them that and score at least 15 or 20 goals a season and provide goals for others to shine too. That’s the kind of profile of player United need to sign.”

The question is whether United agree that Osimhen is the answer. The transfer window closes on September 1, leaving little room for a complicated deal.