Man Utd dealt transfer hammer blow that gives Erik ten Hag his Harry Kane answer

08 February 2023 , 09:38

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Man Utd dealt transfer hammer blow that gives Erik ten Hag his Harry Kane answer

Manchester United's summer transfer business has taken yet another twist, with Napoli's president insisting striker Victor Osimhen is not for sale.

Nigeria international Osimhen is understood to be one of United's two main targets, along with Tottenham star Harry Kane. Neither player is likely to come cheap, with both scoring for fun in their respective leagues this season, but United may well now prioritise a move for the Spurs star.

In Napoli 's case, the goals from Serie A top scorer Osimhen have helped them race clear at the top, opening up a 13-point lead over closest challengers Inter Milan. They are clearly keen to keep the former Lille frontman on board for years to come, and this could force United to step up their pursuit of Kane or an alternative target.

Speaking to Sportbild, Napoli president Aurelio Di Laurentiis insisted Osimhen is "not for sale". It had already been thought that a massive bid would be needed to force a sale, with the Italian side having paid Lille €70m (equivalent to £62m today) for the striker in 2020.

"Our players are in demand, but I don't have to sell anyone," Di Laurentiis added. "We don't have any debts"

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Osimhen scored 10 Serie A goals in his first season at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and 14 last term as Napoli finished third. He already has 16 from just 17 appearances this season, though, and will look to add to his one Champions League goal when Luciano Spalletti's team face Eintracht Frankfurt in the round of 16.

Should Man Utd give up hope on Osimhen? Have your say in the comments section

Victor Osimhen is the top scorer in Serie A this season (AFP via Getty Images)

Things aren't straightforward when it comes to Kane, either. Reports emerged earlier in the week suggesting Spurs are not prepared to sell the England captain to a Premier League rival, amid another impressive season in front of goal, while Bayern Munich have also been linked with a move after losing Robert Lewandowski last summer.

Kane's winner against Manchester City on Sunday didn't only bring up 200 in the Premier League and allow him to break Jimmy Greaves' club record tally. It also meant he has scored 17 or more league goals in each of the last nine seasons, and he remains on pace to come close to matching his best ever league return of 30 goals in the 2017-18 season.

"When I started playing regularly eight or nine years ago it weren't even in my imagination to score 200 Premier League goals so to be there now is just exciting," Kane said after hitting the milestone. "I've got plenty more years left, hopefully a few more to come. Back when Tim Sherwood gave me my first start and I was so desperate to make an impression then and score, that was just the start."

Tom Victor