Victor Osimhen transfer: 3 reasons Man United could beat Arsenal to Super Eagles star

The race for Victor Osimhen could be turning into a Premier League battle between Manchester United and Arsenal, Afrik-Foot reports.

United have made an enquiry about the Nigeria striker, according to Football FanCast, while Arsenal are also in talks with Galatasaray about a possible deal.

Osimhen is not a normal transfer target. Galatasaray paid Napoli €75m for him in July 2025 and gave him a contract until June 2029. Galatasaray have no intention of selling the Super Eagles striker this summer, with the Turkish club building their sporting and commercial project around him. The reigning Super Lig champions have already rejected multiple bids from Spanish and Saudi Arabian clubs for the 27-year-old, who is valued at over €100 million.

Still, Osimhen has never hidden his desire to play in the Premier League and his goals have given clubs a strong reason to pay a huge fee.

Arsenal have an advantage because they are the Premier League champions, Community Shield winners, and have Champions League football. Yet United have reasons to believe they can win the race.

1. United can offer Osimhen a clearer role as their No.9

Manchester United’s need for a top striker is easier to explain than Arsenal’s. United have Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee, but neither has established himself as the long-term answer in attack. The club has therefore continued to look at elite centre-forwards, with Osimhen repeatedly linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Osimhen would arrive at United with a clear job to lead the attack. That could matter in negotiations. A striker who wants regular starts can see a direct path into United’s first XI. Arsenal already have Viktor Gyökeres, who joined the club as their main centre-forward, as well as Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

The competition at Arsenal is therefore different. Mikel Arteta’s side can offer Champions League football and a title-winning team, but United can offer Osimhen the chance to become the central figure in their attack. That could be a powerful argument if the two clubs offer similar financial terms.

2. United can make the transfer about Osimhen, while Arsenal’s talks are more complicated

Arsenal’s discussions with Galatasaray have several moving parts. Galatasaray have been interested in Arsenal players, including Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri. Reports say the Turkish champions made an offer for Martinelli and have also shown interest in Nwaneri. Osimhen has been discussed in the wider talks between the clubs.

That creates an unusual transfer situation. Arsenal could try to use players in negotiations while also trying to bring in Osimhen. Such a deal would need agreement on the value of several players, their contracts and whether each player wants the move.

United could take a simpler route. Football FanCast reports that United have made an enquiry about Osimhen. If that interest develops into a formal offer, the talks can focus directly on the striker and the fee Galatasaray want.

That matters because Galatasaray have a strong negotiating position. Osimhen’s contract runs until 2029 and has no release clause. Turkish reports have put a possible asking price at €150m or more, while AS has also reported a €150m valuation.

A straightforward cash offer from United could therefore give Galatasaray a reason to prefer their proposal over a complicated player-exchange arrangement.

3. Osimhen has already wanted a Premier League move, and United have history in the chase

Osimhen has not hidden his desire to play in England. In a 2024 interview with Sky Sports, he said he wanted to play in the Premier League “one day”.

Manchester United have also been linked with him for several transfer windows. In June 2025, The Standard reported that United were working on a plan to sign him and said the striker wanted to play in the Premier League.

There is also a direct connection to United’s previous recruitment work. Former United first-team coach Benni McCarthy said in February 2026 that he had been involved in discussions about strikers at Old Trafford and believed Osimhen would have fitted the club very well. The club did not pursue him at the time because of concerns linked to the Africa Cup of Nations schedule.

The situation is now different. United have Champions League football after Michael Carrick led them from seventh to third in the Premier League during the 2025-26 season. Carrick won 11 of his 16 games after taking charge in January and was given a new contract until 2028 in May.

That removes one of the main arguments against United from previous transfer battles.

Arsenal can offer Osimhen a team that has just won the Premier League. United can offer Champions League football, a starting role and a club that has already shown interest in him.

Galatasaray will decide the price. Osimhen will decide his destination. Arsenal may have the stronger team today, but United could have a more attractive project for the Nigerian striker.