Juventus set to hijack Manchester United bid for £70m striker

Juventus are attempting to hijack Manchester United's bid for Victor Osimhen by paying more than his €75m release clause.

Manchester United and Chelsea have both been linked with the Napoli striker, who's spent the season on loan at Galatasaray, but recent developments have seen the Premier League giants drift to 8/1.

United desperately need reinforcements in the summer if they're to improve on their miserable campaign and Osimhen was believed to be one of their primary forward targets, with at least one of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee potentially moving on.

Chelsea too are looking to bolster their front line. While Nicolas Jackson was showing signs of making good on his potential with nine goals in his first 15 games this term, he's since scored just one in his last 15 and the Blues are thought to be after a more proven goalscorer.

Osimhen's release clause applies to clubs outside of Italy, meaning Napoli aren't compelled to sell to a Serie A rival, and the thinking was they'd accept a lower bid from a non-Italian club rather than strengthen Juventus, who are now 13/8 favourites to sign the striker.

In April 2025, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis insisted he'd never sell Osimhen to Juventus no matter the price, but if English clubs are unwilling to pay the release clause and match Osimhen's salary demands, Napoli may be forced to let the Nigerian join the Old Lady.

Osimhen had a public falling out with the club, leading to his loan exit to Galatasaray last summer where he's enjoyed a successful season, scoring 24 goals in 28 Super Lig games.

Italian football journalist Matteo Moretti reported that the Bianconeri want the 26-year-old at all costs despite Napoli's objections.

It would strike a significant blow for United, who need a goalscorer more than anything else heading into the summer.

The club have been linked with Liam Delap who has a £30m release clause, and while the 21-year-old has impressed at Portman Road this season with relegated Ipswich Town, scoring 12 goals, there's a danger United are asking another young striker to lead the line - a task that has proven too big for Hojlund - with them potentially going back into the market for a fourth striker in as many years.

Liam Williams

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