Victor Osimhen’s reported wage demands far exceed what Bruno Fernandes earns (Image: Getty)
goal machine Victor Osimhen would reportedly be receptive to contact from this summer.
The Nigerian is widely expected to make a clean break with parent club at the end of his loan spell in Turkey. He has a release clause in his contract which, on the basis of hitting 86 club goals in the last three-and-a-half seasons, is likely to be triggered.
And United desperately need a striker of his calibre. In recent windows they have splashed out on centre-forwards and Joshua Zirkzee, but neither of them have repaid their transfer fees, and the Red Devils are struggling in attack.
According to , Osimhen is ‘open to hearing from United’ if they come calling this summer. ‘s side are among a host of Premier League clubs to have been linked with the 26-year-old, who has scored 20 goals in 26 games this season.
But if the prospect of nabbing him for a relatively modest £62m transfer fee appears too good to be true, that is because there is more to the story.
adds that one of Osimhen’s key demands is to maintain the current salary he is paid by Napoli. At just under £10m net per season, that tips the scales at a whopping £413,000 a week in gross terms.
Victor Osimhen has scored 20 goals in 26 games for Galatasaray this season (Image: Getty)
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A figure like that would force United to rip up their existing wage structure. Part-owners INEOS have worked to try and offload big earners over the past 12 months, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho all heading out on loan.
Casemiro, who is believed to be the club’s current top-earner, was reportedly up for sale in January but a buyer could not be found. Next on the list is , with United’s captain and most-reliable performer picking up in the region of .
The Portuguese has been a loyal servant during his five years at United; working his way up to the role of skipper, hitting double figures in every season, and setting standards even during this disastrous campaign.
Fernandes being gazumped by Osimhen to the tune of £113,000 a week could therefore go down badly in his camp. And it may be a stretch for United’s cash-strapped PSR budget unless they do some serious selling in the early weeks of the summer window.