Victor Osimhen: Ex-Juventus star urges Man United to sign Nigeria and Galatasaray ace

Former Juventus defender Patrice Evra has urged Manchester United to make a serious move for Victor Osimhen this summer, Afrik-Foot reports.

Evra, who won five Premier League titles in eight years at Old Trafford, insists the Nigerian forward is the kind of striker capable of helping the Red Devils challenge for major trophies again.

The former Monaco man made the comments after United completed an encouraging 2025-26 campaign under manager Michael Carrick. United finished third in the Premier League with 71 points from 38 matches, securing qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

The Old Trafford side ended the season strongly, beating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 away from home on Sunday. United scored 69 league goals during the campaign, while summer signings Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all reached double figures in their debut seasons.

Despite that improvement in attack, Evra believes United still need another elite striker if they want to compete across the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cup competitions.

“Osimhen. I have all due respect for Galatasaray, the love he gets there and what the player is like,” the former France international told Goal.

“Man United need a proper striker, and I have so much respect for the strikers at Man United, sometimes [Bryan] Mbuemo. But, back in the day, we had four amazing strikers, and if you want to play every competition, you need more strikers.

“Of course, you need some defenders, like an extra left back, because you could have an injury and a right-back. Of course, Casemiro is leaving, so you need to replace those players. To name one player, I say Osimhen because I know these guys can make the difference.”

Victor Osimhen shines in Turkey as transfer rumours continue

Victor Osimhen’s reputation has continued to rise after another outstanding season with Galatasaray. The Nigeria international helped the Istanbul giants win the Turkish Süper Lig title while producing some of the best football of his career.

The 27-year-old scored 22 goals and provided eight assists in 33 appearances across all competitions. In the league, he struck 15 times in just 22 matches and ended the domestic campaign in style with a brace in a 4-2 win over Antalyaspor on May 9.

Osimhen also impressed in the UEFA Champions League, scoring seven goals in 10 matches. His European campaign included a memorable hat-trick away to AFC Ajax as well as crucial goals against Juventus and Liverpool.

Since arriving initially on loan from Napoli in 2024, Osimhen has scored 59 goals in 74 appearances for Galatasaray. His form has attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

However, Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek has insisted the club do not want to sell their star striker.

He said: “We are not considering selling Victor Osimhen. Putting a price on a player we do not intend to sell is like dressing a footballer before he is even born.”

Galatasaray are also protected by a contract running until 2029, while reports in Turkey suggest there is no fixed release clause in the striker’s deal. Any move back to Italy is also difficult because of an agreement connected to his transfer from Napoli.