Erik ten Hag is leaning towards pursuing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen instead of trying to prise Harry Kane away from Tottenham in the summer, it has been claimed.
After keeping their powder dry in the January transfer window, Manchester United are expected to shell out a significant sum on an elite No.9 to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of the current campaign.
Kane has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks and is already a proven Premier League goalscorer. However, Osimhen also has admirers within the United hierarchy after plundering 16 league goals in just 17 games for Napoli this term.
Both Kane and Osimhen are expected to cost in the region of £100million, meaning that Ten Hag has a big decision to make over the coming months. According to a new report from The Telegraph, the Dutchman has been mulling over whether to move for Kane, who is proven but at 29 a short-term fix, or Osimhen, 24, who has caught the eye but is far from the finished article.
The report goes on to outline that sources have indicated that Osimhen best suits the profile of striker Ten Hag is after, which could sway the former Ajax chief. The Nigeria international boasts impressive strength and power and his mobility means he would be well-suited to the pressing approach that Ten Hag demands from his attackers - even if backing him to develop into a world-class talent in the coming years would be a 'calculated gamble' in comparison to signing a ready-made star like Kane.
Ten Hag has been monitoring Osimhen over the past 12 months and, while there are concerns over some elements of his game and his chequered injury history, the United chief has been impressed with the striker's progression.
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While pursuing Kane would mean dealing with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, who is a notoriously tough negotiator, it's noted that talks with Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis over a deal for Osimhen would be anything but straightforward. Osimhen does reportedly have a release clause in his contract - but at £107m, he wouldn't come cheap.
Osimhen has been integral to Napoli's title challenge this term, with the Italian outfit now 13 points clear of Inter Milan at the top of Serie A after the latest round of league fixtures.
As well as Kane and Osimhen, a number of other potential targets have been mulled over by the Manchester United hierarchy, who are now prepared to cash in on Anthony Martial following another injury-hit campaign.
Benjamin Sesko was previously linked with a move to Old Trafford but at 19 is considered to be at a 'much earlier stage' of his development and is already due to join RB Leipzig in the summer. Former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, who has also flourished in Italy with AS Roma, has also been mooted as a 'fall-back' option if Manchester United are unable to acquire their primary targets.
