- Manchester United are unlikely to sign Victor Osimhen due to his high wage demands of £20 million per season
- Osimhen has been in top form on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 22 goals and providing five assists in 28 games
- Former Man City financial advisor Stefan Borson believes United lack the funds for such a deal without external investment
Despite ongoing speculation linking Victor Osimhen to Manchester United, financial complexities could make the move highly improbable.
The Nigerian striker, expected to leave Napoli permanently after the 2024/25 season, has been on the radar of several top clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea. However, with United undergoing financial restructuring, signing Osimhen may be out of reach.
Reports suggest that the 26-year-old could command wages of around £20 million per season, a figure that United’s hierarchy is reluctant to match.
The Red Devils, who are actively working to reduce their wage bill from last season’s staggering £365 million, are unlikely to pursue such an expensive deal.
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson weighed in on the matter, stating that United’s current financial state does not align with signing a player of Osimhen’s profile. Speaking in an interview recently, Borson expressed skepticism about the club’s ability and willingness to afford both the transfer fee and the player’s wages,
“I think there are two aspects to the Osimhen deal, one is whether they could do it, whether they have the cash. I suspect they don’t and would need shareholders to inject more funds or take on additional borrowing,” Borson remarked.
Beyond the financial constraints, Borson suggested that Osimhen does not fit United’s current recruitment strategy.
Under their new transfer policy, the club has prioritised younger players on lower wages to stabilise long-term finances,
“A player like Osimhen is absolutely not the type of target United are pursuing in this phase,” he added.
Even if United could meet Napoli’s expected £62 million price tag, Borson argued that Osimhen’s wage demands would be the biggest obstacle,
“He’s another one of these players who falls into the £20m-a-year bracket. I don’t see United investing again at that level while restructuring,” he explained.
Instead, United is likely to continue its recent approach of signing younger, emerging talents with more manageable salaries. Borson even suggested that fans should expect a significant drop in the club’s annual wage expenditures over the next few years.
While Osimhen’s next move remains uncertain, one thing appears clear, Manchester United, at least in their current state, are unlikely to be his next destination.
With Arsenal reportedly interested in triggering his €75 million release clause and Chelsea’s past pursuit, the Nigerian forward’s future may lie elsewhere.
For now, Osimhen continues to impress on loan at Galatasaray, where he has notched 22 goals and five assists in 28 appearances this season.
Galatasaray joins race for Osimhen's signature, ready to bid €50 million
Previously, TheRadar reported that Galatasaray was preparing to shake up the January transfer window with a not-so-surprising move for Nigeria’s star forward Victor Osimhen.
While Chelsea had long been linked with the 25-year-old striker, the Turkish champions are now looking to secure a permanent deal to keep Osimhen in Istanbul, a city where he has quickly won the hearts of fans.
