Man Utd handed late striker U-turn blow as 'documents processed' ahead of transfer

Manchester United's pursuit of landing a top-quality striker has been dealt a blow after one target edged closer to completing a move abroad. The Red Devils have been linked to a whole host of names this summer, including Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike and even Nicolas Jackson.

That's despite already penning deals for attacking duo Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, with Ruben Amorim said to be desperate to add a new centre-forward to his roster. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have arrived at Old Trafford in consecutive summers, but Amorim isn't believed to be convinced by either of them.

One name who had previously been linked with a move to the Red Devils was Victor Osimhen, with the Nigerian having initially caught the eye during Napoli's 2022/23 title-winning campaign. To the surprise of some, Oshimen left the Serie A outfit for Galatasaray at the beginning of last season, initially as part of a loan move, with the deal set to become permanent this summer.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Galatasaray are pushing ahead with all the formalities ahead of securing the striker's services on a long-term basis. It's also reported that there is no possibility of a U-turn being made and that Osimhen is fully committed to Galatasaray's project.

It's a move that will likely disappoint former United ace Paul Scholes, given he'd made it clear that Osimhen should've been on INEOS' list of striker targets. Scholes previously told The Overlap Fan Debate: "I think Osimhen [is free to leave Napoli summer], it sounds like a doable one. When you talk about financial problems, he could be doable."

That doesn't mean to say he doesn't have faith in Hojlund, who has managed just 14 goals in the Premier League since joining United from Atalanta two years ago. He added: "But I'd keep [Rasmus] Hojlund.

"I know he's not been great, but he's a 22-year-old kid playing on his own for Man United the last two years. He's had to play every week; he is the only one. Man United should have at least three top centre forwards. I'd have him and Osimhen and Gyokeres."

Given Gyokeres appears destined for Arsenal though, that's another deal that has fallen by the wayside as far as Scholes will be considered. United will have until September 1 to sign a striker, meanwhile, their first Premier League match of the season against Arsenal is now less than a month away.