Napoli has reportedly presented Manchester United with an opportunity to acquire Victor Osimhen during the January transfer window, with the Italian club open to a player exchange deal. This development, revealed exclusively by TBR Football, could mark a pivotal move in the transfer market.

Osimhen’s Stellar Season in Turkey

Currently on loan at Galatasaray, Victor Osimhen has been enjoying a remarkable season in the Turkish Super Lig. The 25-year-old forward has netted nine goals in 11 appearances, showcasing his scoring prowess and reigniting interest from top clubs across Europe. However, his time in Turkey might be nearing its end as sources indicate that several Premier League teams have been informed of his availability for a permanent transfer this January.

Napoli’s Swap Proposal to Manchester United

Manchester United has been approached with an offer to sign Osimhen, and the club’s footballing department, led by Jason Wilcox, is reportedly evaluating the proposal. United manager Ruben Amorim’s challenging start at Old Trafford has underscored the need for a reliable striker, as current options Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Højlund, and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled to deliver consistent performances.

While Napoli values Osimhen at around £60 million, United’s financial constraints make a direct cash deal difficult. The Red Devils’ existing wage commitments—with Rashford, Højlund, and Zirkzee earning a combined £500,000 per week—further complicate the situation. Adding Osimhen’s estimated £200,000 weekly salary would put additional strain on their budget.

To address these challenges, Napoli has expressed interest in a player exchange, identifying three Manchester United forwards as potential options. Højlund and Zirkzee, both familiar with Serie A, are among the players Napoli is keen on. Højlund previously impressed during his time at Atalanta, while Zirkzee scored 12 goals in Italy’s top division last season. Rashford, who is reportedly available for transfer, is another player admired by Napoli.

Additional Transfer Rumors

Zirkzee, who only joined Manchester United during the summer, has also drawn attention from Juventus, where his former coach Thiago Motta is now in charge. However, as with Napoli, securing guaranteed first-team opportunities could be a concern.

Other Clubs in the Race for Osimhen

Besides Manchester United, Arsenal and Aston Villa have also been approached regarding Osimhen’s potential transfer. Napoli has reportedly shown interest in Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran as part of a possible deal. Meanwhile, Chelsea, long-time admirers of Osimhen, remain attentive to the situation. However, the recent resurgence of Nicolas Jackson has reduced their immediate need for a new striker.

Conclusion

The January transfer window could see Victor Osimhen make a high-profile move to the Premier League, with Napoli’s willingness to negotiate a player exchange adding an intriguing layer to the saga. Whether Manchester United or another club seizes this opportunity remains to be seen, but the coming weeks promise significant developments in this evolving story.

Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury during Arsenal’s Premier League victory over Crystal Palace. Manager Mikel Arteta has offered an update on the situation, confirming that the star player will be unavailable for “many weeks.”

Saka was substituted in the first half of the match at Selhurst Park. Despite his early exit, Arsenal secured an emphatic 5-1 victory, but Arteta acknowledged the challenge of coping without the influential attacker during a demanding stretch of fixtures.

“It’s not looking good; he’s going to be out for many weeks,” Arteta told reporters post-match. When discussing how the team will adapt, he added, “I’m brainstorming a few ideas. I haven’t finalized anything yet, but I’ve got some plans.

“I’ll also involve the players in this process and approach it positively,” the Spaniard continued. “This will bring changes to our dynamic. We’ve dealt with absences before, such as when Martin [Odegaard] was out or when we missed multiple defenders. We’ll take on this challenge with a constructive attitude.”

Adding to the injury concerns, Arsenal were also without loanee Raheem Sterling during the Crystal Palace clash. “Raheem was ruled out the day before the game, and we’re unsure about the timeline for his return,” Arteta said. “Losing two key players within 24 hours is a setback, but given the intense schedule, it’s not entirely unexpected.”

The Gunners face a packed calendar, starting with a home match against Ipswich Town on December 27. This will be followed by away games against Brentford and Brighton to kick off the new year.

Arsenal’s squad has endured a string of injury setbacks this season. Captain Martin Odegaard was sidelined for two months after sustaining an ankle injury during international duty in September. His return has coincided with an unbeaten run in seven league games, as well as Arsenal’s progression to the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

The defensive unit has also been hit hard by injuries. Takehiro Tomiyasu has managed just one appearance this season, while Ben White has been out of action for over six weeks and remains unavailable. White underwent surgery to address recurring issues earlier in the season, with Arteta confirming in November that his recovery would take several months.

“Ben’s injuries have been varied, and there hasn’t been consistent improvement,” Arteta explained. “We reached a point where prioritizing his long-term health became necessary.”

As Arsenal navigate these challenges, Arteta’s focus remains on maintaining the team’s momentum and finding effective solutions to keep their campaign on track across all competitions.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, now overseeing football operations at Manchester United, is standing firm in his decision to let new manager Ruben Amorim take full control of team matters. This includes the controversial omission of Marcus Rashford, who was left out of the squad yet again during United’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

Rashford, a prominent figure at Old Trafford, has now been benched for the third consecutive match, a run that began with his exclusion from the Manchester derby—a game United won. Amorim has publicly pointed to concerns over Rashford’s training performances and his interactions with teammates as reasons for his decisions. Despite the high-profile nature of Rashford’s absence, Ratcliffe has remained resolute in his support of Amorim’s autonomy, refraining from any interference in squad selection.

The January transfer window, set to open in less than two weeks, could potentially mark a turning point for Rashford. The striker recently made headlines by expressing his openness to a “new challenge,” further fueling speculation about his future. United have reportedly set an asking price of around £40 million for the forward, but his status as one of the club’s top earners might complicate any potential transfer.

According to sources from The Telegraph, Ratcliffe and the INEOS leadership at Old Trafford have no plans to step into the fray regarding Rashford’s exile, leaving Amorim free to manage the situation as he sees fit. The manager’s approach has sparked significant debate, particularly as United’s league performance continues to falter. The team now finds itself in the bottom half of the Premier League table heading into Christmas.

When questioned about Rashford’s continued absence following the Bournemouth defeat, Amorim reiterated his position: “It’s my decision and it always will be. Selection is about finding the best solutions for the team. I’m trying different strategies with different players, and that’s my focus.”

Looking ahead to the hectic festive period, United’s next challenge comes on Boxing Day with a trip to Wolves. While squad rotation is expected due to the demanding schedule, Amorim offered no guarantees about Rashford’s return. “It depends. We will see,” he remarked when pressed about the forward’s potential involvement.

Meanwhile, former United defender Gary Neville weighed in on the situation, expressing concern about the implications for both Rashford and the club. “Rashford’s absence isn’t really a surprise anymore,” Neville said. “When a player is left out for three matches in a row, something is clearly wrong. It’s hard to see a positive outcome here for either Rashford or Manchester United. This feels like the beginning of an inevitable parting of ways.”

As the transfer window looms and United’s struggles persist, all eyes remain on Amorim and Ratcliffe to navigate this challenging period. Whether Rashford stays or goes, the decisions made in the coming weeks are set to have a lasting impact on the club’s future.