Manchester United are not targeting a summer move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and are instead prioritising a deal for Liam Delap, according to reports.
Osimhen came close to joining Chelsea last summer but the Premier League side were unable to agree a deal with Napoli for the striker.
The Nigeria international ended up moving to Galastaray on loan and he has thrived during his stint in Turkey, scoring 30 goals in 35 appearances so far.
Earlier this week, reports in Italy claimed that United are now in the running to sign Osimhen from Napoli in the summer transfer window and that the Premier League club have reached a ‘basic agreement’ with the striker.
However, The Athletic’s transfer expert David Ornstein claims that United will not make a move for Osimhen this summer and are instead pushing ahead with deals for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and Delap, who is set to be available for £30 million due to a relegation release clause in his contract with Ipswich Town.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
‘The priority for Manchester United in this upcoming transfer window is attack,’ Ornstein told NBC Sports.
‘They are looking at a centre forward and a No. 10 as their main focus, they want to get on with it pretty quickly. The finances are in place, as I understand it, to do the deals they would like to do. They do not depend on European football, I’m told, nor on sales to necessitate them.
‘Their main focus for the No.10 position is Matheus Cunha of Wolves. He has a £62.5 million release clause. He wants to come but personal terms still need to be agreed, which is not a formality.
‘Let’s see if other clubs come in for him as well but there is optimism at Old Trafford that they can land him.
‘They have alternatives – the likes of Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth and Tyler Dibling at Southampton.
‘But Cunha is the one they’re focusing on. It’s not close yet but I could see this one developing rapidly.
‘In the striker position, it’s Liam Delap of Ipswich Town as their No.1 target. He has a £30m release clause if Ipswich are relegated but they’re also a lot of other suitors for him including Chelsea, so there’s not guarantee that will happen.
‘I think Delap will decide before the European Under-21 Championship on where he wants to go.
More Trending
‘If United are to look at others, I’m assured it will not be Victor Osimhen, despite reports that you might be reading. He is not on the agenda for United.
‘They will have other options because they might have to turn to them, or they’ll stick to internal solutions like Rasmus Hojlund and focus on other positions.
‘Those positions may be more dependent on sales, the likes of [Marcus] Rashford. Aston Villa have a £40m option to buy him, let’s see if they get into the Champions League and whether they are the proposition he wants to join and also that they can afford him.
‘He could also go elsewhere of course, he’s always liked the idea of somewhere like Spain, Barcelona, we have to wait and see. He wants to be in the Champions League, he doesn’t want to be in London we’re hearing and I don’t think he has a future at Manchester United.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Eni Aluko warns Ian Wright about ‘blocking’ female pundits in women’s football
MORE: Oliver Glasner reveals Crystal Palace targeted Arsenal player after 2-2 draw
MORE: Michael Owen says Arsenal star ‘will be screaming in dressing room’ after Crystal Palace draw
