Julius OkorieAs Victor Osimhen’s transfer continues to generate interest, former Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged the Red Devils to settle for Osimhen as against Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Manchester United are eager to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season, following a disappointing 2024-2025 campaign that saw them finish a dismal 15th in the Premier League.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe 2024-2025 season finished edged out the 2013/14 hitherto considered the worst finish in the club history then under David Moyes.
The club finished 7th on that occassion but this has easily been eroded by the current season finish down eight more places to 15.
Club mamagement and fans alike believe there is need to declare an emergency and the legends are worried while advising that only the best players be sort after to remedy the situation.
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Their current attacking duo, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failed to meet expectations, leading to increased calls for reinforcements. Viktor Gyokeres, who enjoyed a phenomenal season with Sporting Lisbon, has emerged as a top target.
The 26-year-old fired 39 goals and added eight assists to lead Ruben Sporting Lisbon to Portuguese league title. Despite this remarkable form, Ferdinand believes Manchester United should prioritise Osimhen.
“I think Gyokeres, everyone’s talking about him,” Ferdinand told The Mirror. “Again, I think if I’m looking at the market now and I had to pick him or Osimhen, I’d probably pick Osimhen because of that experience.”
Osimhen, who plays for Napoli, is widely regarded as one of the most lethal strikers in Europe. He won the Serie A Golden Boot in the 2022-2023 season and has consistently impressed in Italy and on the international stage with Nigeria.
Manchester United’s poor league finish and their loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final have prompted the club’s leadership to consider major changes this summer, with the striker position seen as a top priority.
Ferdinand’s endorsement of Osimhen could further sway opinion at Old Trafford as the club prepares for a crucial transfer window.
By this clarion Ferdinand has aligned with former Chelsea Star John Obi Mikel who strongly believes that Osimhen’s place for now remains in Europe an indeed in the Premier League.
While Mikel has fired Chelsea for failing to seize the Special transfer window offer ahead of the Club World Cup which starts tomorrow in the United States to sign Osimhen, he nonetheless maintains that a deal with either Chelsea or Manchester United for Osimhen will be just perfect and cannot be ruled out.
Recall that Mikel himself was on the verge of signing for Manchester United from Norwegian side Lyn Oslo in 2006 under Alex Fergusson but dramatically signed for Chelsea where he successfully had a 12 year stay, winning the Champions League, two premier league titles and four FA Cups.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
