Manchester United is on the verge of signing Joshua Zirkzee, a Dutch-Nigerian striker, in a move that would bring an end to their long-term pursuit of Victor Osimhen, according to Soccernet. Zirkzee, who is eligible to play for Nigeria through his mother, has agreed to personal terms with the Red Devils and is expected to join the club soon.
The development comes as a result of Napoli's high valuation of Osimhen, who is priced at €120 million. This has made it difficult for clubs to sign him without breaching Financial Fair Play regulations. Manchester United had been interested in Osimhen since the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo, but the high price tag has forced them to look for alternative options.
Zirkzee's potential signing would be a significant coup for Manchester United, who have been searching for a new striker to bolster their attack. The 22-year-old has impressed in the Serie A, scoring 11 goals in 22 appearances for Bologna last season. His signing would bring an end to Manchester United's long-standing interest in Osimhen, who seems likely to stay at Napoli or move to Chelsea.
Chelsea is still interested in signing Osimhen and is considering offering Romelu Lukaku, Cesare Casadei, and cash in exchange. Osimhen's ambition to play in the Premier League may still be fulfilled this summer, but it seems less likely to be at Manchester United.
The transfer market is full of twists and turns, and this development highlights the complexities of transfer deals. Manchester United's pursuit of Zirkzee may prove to be a more feasible option, and the signing would bring an end to their long-standing interest in Osimhen. As the summer transfer window heats up, fans are eagerly waiting to see how the saga unfolds.