Napoli chief reveals Victor Osimhen transfer truth amid Manchester United January links

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has claimed that Victor Osimhen's impending departure from the Serie A club was due to his financial demands.

Manchester United were linked with a move for Osimhen in the January transfer window. It was claimed the Reds were at one stage willing to let Alejandro Garnacho join Napoli if it meant that the Nigerian centre-forward would make the switch to Old Trafford.

That particular eye-catching deal didn't transpire, but Osimhen is still expected to leave Napoli this summer once his loan spell at Galatasaray expires. In a wide-ranging interview reflecting on transfers, which included details on why Garnacho did not move to the Italians last month, Manna compared the striker's demands to that of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - who wanted to join PSG and ultimately left mid-season.

"The same thing happened with Osimhen in the summer," he explained to Italian publication Tutto Napoli. "It's not right to go beyond our parameters, it is not right to overvalue a player or make wrong decisions. The transfer market didn't end yesterday [on Monday], and Napoli didn't end yesterday. We need objectivity and consistency.

"We have demonstrated this with Osimhen and beyond. There are clubs that can do things we cannot, but that is fair, given our history and values.

"We are solid, profitable, and we are not in debt. If we have to make moves just to please the fans, that's not who we are." It is expected that a bid of £62million this summer would, potentially, be enough to bring Osimhen to Old Trafford should United wish to spend that much or pursue the Nigerian goal-getter.

However, Manna's suggestion is that Osimhen could demand a hefty wage so the Reds, or other possible suitors, may find it