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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Napoli confirm interest in Victor Osimhen but send Manchester United clear message over striker

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has made the club’s position on Victor Osimhen clear, telling interested clubs that the striker “is not for sale”.

Osimhen continues to impress in Italy and leads the way in the Serie A scoring charts, with 16 goals in just 17 appearances for his side this season.

It’s helped fire Napoli to the top of the table, 13 points clear of Inter Milan in second, and well on course for a first Serie A title in 33 years. They will also be eying a deep run in Europe, with Eintracht Frankfurt their opponents in the last-16 of the Champions League.

Osimhen has unsurprisingly attracted attention from across Europe, with Manchester United among those linked with a big-money summer move for the 24-year-old.

It’s reported that Erik ten Hag is keen on bringing the forward to Old Trafford, as the club look for a longer-term option up front having signed Wout Weghorst on loan until the end of the season.

Harry Kane remains a target too, though it remains to be seen whether Spurs would allow him to join another Premier League club this summer, and as a result it’s been suggested that United are preparing a bid in excess of £100million for Osimhen.

However, De Laurentiis has warned United and anyone else considering a move for the Nigerian that Napoli do not have a need or desire to sell the striker.

“I can tell you that Osimhen is not for sale,” De Laurentiis told Bild.

“Our players are in demand, but I don’t have to sell anyone. We don’t have any debts.”

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