Napoli give Manchester United green light for Victor Osimhen transfer approach

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis says Victor Osimhen will leave the club this summer, with a potential move to the Premier League on the cards.

The Manchester Evening News previously reported the attacker was on Erik ten Hag’s list of potential targets last window before Manchester United turned attention to Rasmus Hojlund, who arrived in a £72m deal. Osimhen penned a new long-term contract in Italy only last month but it seems this was only to keep hold of his value.

Earlier this week, the player - who has frequently spoken of his desire to play in the Premier League - said he had already made up his mind about an exit at the end of the season. And now De Laurentiis says this was a decision that had already been agreed last year.

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The Napoli chief said (as per The Evening Standard): "This was already known since this summer, our negotiations [over the new contract] were friendly, otherwise it would not have been so long. We knew he would go to Real Madrid, PSG or a top English club."

Speaking about his future on Tuesday, Osimhen told CBS: "I think 60 per cent of everyone are arguing, or the rumour is going around about me being linked the Premier League. But...when you are one of the hottest striker in the globe, you play this type of thing. Of course, EPL is one of the biggest leagues in the whole world.

"At the end of the season, I think I already made up my mind. I already know what I wanna do with my career, since I've started, I've been the one taking my own decision and everything is working out well for me."

United intend to strengthen at full-back, centre-back, central