Man Utd can sign 'top-class' striker for 'peanuts' but they have to move fast

Ruben Amorim wants a new striker.

Manchester United are expected to pursue a new striker once Brentford finally sanction a deal for Bryan Mbeumo, which the club will hope is after an imminent third bid. However, Ruben Amorim's options are narrowing by the week, with two of his reported top targets already evading his grasp. United had identified Liam Delap as their next transfer priority after completing a £62.5million deal for Matheus Cunha, which would have started the summer with two quickfire moves. But the Ipswich Town striker opted for the allure of Champions League football and London living at Chelsea, sealing a £30m switch. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

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Amorim's interest in a reunion with Sporting superstar Viktor Gyokeres has been no secret, but that prospect looks off the cards too. Gyokeres has prioritised a transfer to another of United's Premier League rivals, Arsenal, and looks destined to land at the Emirates Stadium. The Red Devils have also been linked with Ollie Watkins, Hugo Ekitike and Jean-Philippe Mateta, as well as free agent trio Callum Wilson, Jamie Vardy and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Victor Osimhen has emerged as the premium market opportunity, though, ahead of his permanent Napoli departure this summer. The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at Galatasaray but has been tipped to arrive in the Premier League for years. For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express MUFC newsletter, or join our WhatsApp community here.

Victor Osimhen looks set to re-join Galatasaray.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has described the £65m it would take to trigger his Napoli release clause as "peanuts" while shrugging off Gyokeres' impending move to Arsenal. "I'm like a broken record. If anyone listens to my podcast, I've said Osimhen for a while now," Ferdinand said on talkSPORT. "He's a centre-forward, he's experienced, he knows how to score goals at the top level. I've seen today that Galatasaray have put a £50million bid in. "I mean, £50m to get a top-class striker, one of the top strikers in the world, is absolute peanuts in today's market. "I'll be disappointed if he goes to Galatasaray for that type of money when Man United are crying out for a No.9. For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express transfer newsletter.

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"I'll be disappointed to miss out on Gyokeres if we don't get a No.9 in. But if we got Osimhen, then I wouldn't be too concerned." While Galatasaray were unsuccessful with their £50m bid, Fabrizio Romano reports that the Turkish giants have since improved their offer. Napoli have received a bid worth his £65m release clause, but in instalments across five years, and are yet to respond. If United are to achieve another marquee attacking buy, they are going to have to move quickly to beat Galatasaray to the line. But problematically, while Osimhen's transfer fee may be "peanuts", his eye-watering wage demands are not. That appears to be an insurmountable hurdle in United's way.

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