Manchester United may be forced to reconsider their pursuit of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen due to concerns over his hefty wage demands, reportedly around £20m per season. With the club aiming to reduce their substantial wage bill, which totaled £365m last season, agreeing to such terms with Osimhen seems increasingly unlikely.
Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray after a fallout with Napoli, has been the subject of widespread speculation regarding his future. The 26-year-old striker is expected to leave Napoli permanently after the 2024/25 season, with Manchester United emerging as one of the potential suitors. His name has been frequently linked with the club, especially after Arsenal’s interest in triggering his €75m release clause.
While Osimhen has remained tight-lipped about his next move, the momentum surrounding his potential transfer to Old Trafford is growing. However, former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson has cast doubt on whether United will agree to terms for the highly sought-after striker due to his substantial wage demands.
Borson explained to Football Insider, “There are two aspects to the Osimhen deal. One is whether they have the cash to do it. I suspect that they don’t have the cash to do it and would need additional funding from shareholders or loans to facilitate such a deal. But more importantly, I don’t see Osimhen fitting into United’s plans right now, especially with his massive wages.”
He added, “A player like Osimhen could easily fall into the £20m-a-year wage bracket, and I don’t think United will go down that path. They’re in a phase of restructuring and reducing spending, and while a striker is likely to earn more, these types of high-level investments aren’t in line with their current strategy. I expect them to continue signing younger players with lower salaries as they rebuild.”
So far this season, Osimhen has enjoyed a successful spell at Galatasaray, contributing 22 goals and five assists in 28 appearances. Despite his impressive form, it seems Manchester United may have to adjust their transfer strategy, focusing on younger talents with more modest salary expectations as they continue to manage their financial restructuring.
