Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has urged the club to pursue a move for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, believing he would be a stronger option than current target Benjamin Sesko ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils have been long-term admirers of the Super Eagles star and were also linked with a move last summer, before eventually settling to sign Sesko in a €85 million deal from German club RB Leipzig.
Meanwhile, Osimhen spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Turkish club Galatasaray where he enjoyed a remarkable campaign, breaking several goalscoring records and helping the Lions to a league and cup double honours.
This pushed the Turkish giants to splash €75 million on the 27-year-old last summer to sign him permanently from Italian club Napoli, representing the highest-ever transfer fee in Turkish football history.
While Osimhen has continued his brilliant form this season, scoring 19 goals and providing seven assists across all competitions, Sesko has struggled to break into Manchester United’s lineup with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo often preferred upfront.
However, he has still managed 10 goals across all competitions this season, although most of his goals have come off the bench
What Butt said about Osimhen
Nicky Butt, who enjoyed a remarkable playing career while at Manchester United between 1992 and 2004, believes the club must do all they can to complete the signature of Osimhen once the transfer window opens.
The 51-year-old believes Osimhen’s physicality will be of great help to the Red Devils, while his Champions League experience would be vital as the club prepare for a return to Europe club’s elite competition next season.
“I don’t think he can carry the club up front on his own, they’ll need another no9, he’s shown he’s got massive potential, great movement, he works his socks off. He can score a goal and you can see he’s good in the air but he’s not the complete centre-forward for United at that level. He can potentially get there”, Butt said.
“They’re going to have to go out and buy a top, top player. I do believe in recruitment there’s no point in going and buying a player who doesn’t improve the squad. You’ve got to go and buy the best player. I think Sesko will be a good player for United, I don’t think he needs replacing, but someone who is better than him that can lift his game as well.
I think he’d [Osimhen] be the one. You’d like to think that players from Turkish sides are gettable,’ Butt continued.
“I think he’s powerful, quick, he can run in behind, he’s strong, has got a good touch, can score different types of goals, he’s good in the air. It’s a difficult job to recruit players and maybe you go and find someone with potential but they keep doing that and it doesn’t quite work.
Sesko might be ready in two or three years but not right now and definitely not in the Champions League. I know Osimhen isn’t proven in the Premier League but you look at his physicality and the way he plays football, he can definitely handle it”, the six-time Premier League winner concluded.
Where will Osimhen end up next season?
Osimhen has been linked with a move away from Galatasaray ahead of the summer transfer window, with several European heavyweights expressing their desire for a deal.
German champions Bayern Munich are interested in the Nigerian forward as they hope to sign him as a long-term replacement for England striker Harry Kane.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are also exploring the conditions of a move as they look to revamp their attack in the summer, while Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain still retain long-term interest in the Super Eagles star.
However, Galatasaray are unwilling to sanction a sale for their talisman and with several months left until the new season, their stance could soften if a very significant offer comes in for the striker.
