Jaap Stam identifies Manchester United transfer risk if they pick Victor Osimhen over Harry Kane

Jaap Stam has warned there is a risk that Victor Osimhen could initially “struggle” to get used to the cut and thrust of the Premier League should Manchester United decide to make a move.

Harry Kane is the club’s primary target in the hunt for a centre-forward this summer, a player Stam says has “proven himself”. The 29-year-old is the all-time top scorer for both club and country but is approaching the final 12 months of his Tottenham contract.

Osimhen is among Ten Hag’s fallback options should there be no fruit in a chase for Kane, the Nigerian guiding Napoli to the Serie A title with his 23 league goals this season.

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However, Stam highlighted that the 24-year-old may need time to adapt to the English game, unlike Kane. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the former United defender said when asked about picking between Kane and Osimhen: “It's always difficult to say which one.

“Kane knows the Premier League very well, he's proven himself at Spurs and he's one of the best goalscorers in the world, he knows the level of play and what's been expected from him and what he can bring.

“So can you bring in a player like Kane and of course you would be doing a very, very good deal for United in bringing him in. I think Osimhen, he's a different type of player.

“For him, he needs to get acquainted to the Premier League at first. It can go fast, but it can also be a struggle at times as well.”

Stam says the chase for a striker will come down to what type of attacker Ten Hag wants.

He added: “Ten Hag also needs to have a look at his philosophy and the type of player that he wants to have. Does he want to have a real strong No.9 and a target man that can hold up