“Manchester United pursues Victor Osimhen for €130 million under pressure from Rio Ferdinand.”

The Manchester United is preparing for an audacious move in the transfer market, focusing on the signing of Nigerian star Victor Osimhen, who is currently shining at Galatasaray. The pressure for this move comes from a legendary figure at the club, former defender Rio Ferdinand, who has been an unwavering advocate for the signing of this striker. According to recent reports, Ferdinand has been an influential voice in the club’s decision, which is about to enter a fierce battle to secure Osimhen’s talent.

Ferdinand, in previous conversations, has not hesitated to express his opinion on Osimhen. In July 2025, during an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “I’m like a broken record. If anyone listens to my podcast, they know I’ve been talking about Osimhen for a while. He is a striker, experienced, and knows how to score goals at the highest level. I saw today that Galatasaray made a £50 million bid. To get a top striker, one of the best in the world, that is a real find in the current market. I would be disappointed if he goes to Galatasaray for that amount when the Manchester United is desperate for a number 9.”

Ferdinand’s statements did not stop there. In January 2026, he reiterated his belief that “Osimhen will come to United; if United makes an offer for him, he would, 100%.” This insistence seems to have finally resonated with the management of Manchester United, as reports indicate that the club’s co-owners, INEOS, are ready to act and move forward with a formal proposal for the player.

The pressure exerted by club idols, such as Ferdinand, appears to be persuading the administration to adopt a more aggressive approach in the pursuit of Osimhen. However, the club is not alone in this race. Arsenal, under the leadership of Mikel Arteta, is also interested in securing the forward, while Bayern Munich sees him as a potential long-term replacement for Harry Kane.

Osimhen, who has already scored 18 goals and provided six assists in 26 matches this season for Galatasaray, has a market value set at €130 million. The player’s salary in Turkey is also considerable, ranging between €15 and €18 million, including bonuses. The question now is whether Manchester United will be willing to meet Galatasaray’s financial demands.

Pressure is mounting as time progresses, and the club faces an additional challenge, as Osimhen is about to take the field against Liverpool in the Champions League. For United, who invested €85 million in the signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig last season, Osimhen’s arrival could represent a harsh blow for the young Slovene, who has had a difficult debut thus far, with only nine goals and one assist in 26 matches.

The anticipation surrounding this potential transfer is palpable, and with the summer window approaching, all eyes will be on what the future holds for Victor Osimhen and Manchester United.