Manchester United’s biggest barrier to signing Napoli duo Victor Osimhen and Kim Min-jae is set to be removed.
United look as they they will have a busy summer. The club are thought to be keen on a new striker, having been unable to rely on the fitness of Anthony Martial or the goalscoring capability of loanee Wout Weghorst.
Indeed, various reports have claimed the Old Trafford club are eyeing a deal for Osimhen, who has netted 28 goals and provided five assists for Napoli this term as the club claimed their first Serie A title in 33 years.
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Moreover, Ten Hag will likely look to add further depth to his United backline, with the Premier League giants having been linked to Osimhen’s Napoli teammate Kim.
While Kim’s entourage have denied claims the South Korean international has already agreed to a deal to sign for United this summer, the centre-back is thought to be a target.
Man Utd boost in Osimhen and Kim pursuit
United could have received a major boost in their pursuit of the Napoli pair, with reports claiming the Azzurri’s sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is on the cusp of joining Juventus this summer.
The 51-year-old executive has been cited as one of the key architects behind Napoli’s Scudetto success, having helped to identify and sign the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kim, Mathias Olivera and Giacomo Raspadori last summer.
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However, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Tuesday morning that Giuntoli’s potential move to Turin is edging closer.
The master negotiator’s potential departure could be a major boost in United’s pursuit of Osimhen and Kim.
Indeed, Giuntoli is said to be a persuasive figure, having 'locked' Osimhen inside a hotel to convince him to join the Serie A side and turn down a move to Liverpool.
Giandomenico Costi, who worked with Giuntoli at Napoli, explained to Tuttosport (via Liverpool Echo): "The signing of Osimhen is Giuntoli's biggest masterpiece.
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"He [Osimhen] was locked in a hotel for three days. Giuntoli knew Liverpool were interested, and Jurgen Klopp had made his move, but Cristiano spoke to Osimhen in the hotel for three days until he convinced him to accept Napoli.
"He was full of energy. Giuntoli is a director who would call you 100 times a day. He knew Victor very well, he had even followed him at Charleroi."
Topics: Football, Manchester United, Napoli, Victor Osimhen, Premier League, Transfers, Juventus