Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand warns the club about the risk of signing Nigeria Super Eagles superstar Victor Osimhen.
Ferdinand believes that the Super Eagles’ striker would not be able to perform well in the Premier League. He mentioned that he would prefer a Harry Kane move, as the latter has experience in the league.
Rio Ferdinand feels Victor Osimhen would be a risky, and he would prefer a move for Harry Kane.
Do you agree with him?#MUFC #ManUtd #Ferdinand #Osimhen #Kane pic.twitter.com/9NFEwCY2CD
— Football Firm (@footballfirmhq) May 26, 2023
Both players are linked to Manchester United ahead of the summer transfer window. Manager Erik ten Hag wants to sign a world-class striker this summer after securing a top-four place and a spot in the UEFA Champions League next season. However, Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen and England striker Harry Kane would only leave their clubs for huge fees. According to the Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the English club has to pay at least £140 million for the Nigerian forward.
🚨🎙️| @FabrizioRomano: “Napoli are NOT selling Osimhen for € 110M, this is not possible they want way more than that. They’re starting from a potential value of € 150M, so let’s see what is going to be the final pricetag but € 110M is absolutely NOT enough for Osimhen.” 🇳🇬💰 pic.twitter.com/1viJVGLATD
— PSG Report (@PSG_Report) May 24, 2023
Ferdinand on United's Need for a Striker
“We need to get a No.9 in the building,” former Man United defender Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel. “There are two names that keep coming up – Osimhen and Kane. Ultimately, it is down to Kane and (Tottenham chairman) Daniel Levy.”
“Osimhen is a different kettle of fish. He’s 24 years old, scored goals in France and Italy. Won the league (in Italy) and knows how to win leagues.” he said.
However, Ferdinand felt Osimhen might be a risky signing, stating, “He’s been a No.9 at a dominant team. Is that transferable to the Premier League? No one knows that. That’s the chance United would have to take on him.”
“That’s the only risk I see. He doesn’t know the league – that's it. Ability-wise and profile, goal scoring, he ticks every box, but there is an unknown factor in does he knows how to play in the Premier League? Can he adapt to the Premier League?”
“But I wouldn't see that as a big risk. I’d take either of those two, and I’d be happy, but the one thing with Kane, he guarantees you 20 or 25 goals a season. There’s no doubt in your mind he gets that when he comes to Man Utd,” he said.
Osimhen vs Kane
⚽️ Striker radar (percentile rank vs top-10 league strikers, all competitions) :
Osimhen vs Kane vs Ramos pic.twitter.com/TmLEePJzy8
— DataMB (@DataMB_) April 2, 2023
Victor Osimhen has scored 23 goals in 30 matches so far in the Serie A 2022–2023 season. He was Serie A's top goal scorer, bagging 11 goals at home and 12 on the road. The 24-year-old enjoyed a healthy 0.85 goals-per-90.
Meanwhile, Kane has scored 28 Premier League goals this season; only Manchester City’s Erling Halaand has more goals than him. However, Osimhen and Napoli have secured a place in next season’s Champions League after becoming Serie A champions. Kane's contribution hasn't helped Tottenham much, as they sit in 8th in the Premier League table.
Osimhen in Demand
Where do you think Victor Osimhen will go to? 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/ycQv9Kq2mp
— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) May 26, 2023
Osimhen's exploits this season have attracted several clubs, unlike Kane, who remains on the radar of a handful of clubs. Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all interested in the Nigeria Super Eagles striker, with PSG and Bayern Munich also among the clubs keeping an eye on the Napoli frontman. Having won the league with Napoli, the 24-year-old may explore new challenges and seek life in the Premier League.
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 months ago
