Club attacking legend believes the club must go after high profile players, but warns that they must offer Champions League football
Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has publicly asked for the club to prioritise signing Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen in the upcoming summer transfer window. Yorke believes that bringing Osimhen to Old Trafford could help to revitalise the team’s forward line.
“Manchester United signing Victor Osimhen this summer would be better late than never,” said Yorke. “I don’t know what has stopped the club signing these big names in recent windows.”
Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, has continued his remarkable goalscoring form this season, netting 33 in 38 appearances across all competitions. His performance has not gone unnoticed, with reports linking the Nigeria international to several top clubs, including Manchester United.
“Can Osimhen handle the pressure? Well, it can’t get any worse,” said Yorke. “He’s been around for a while now, he’s a senior player and he’s scored wherever he’s been.
“The expectation of coming to Manchester United now, it’s something that will give him another challenge to achieve. I think signing Osimhen is a no brainer.”
Reports suggest that Osimhen has a release clause of approximately £62 million in his Napoli contract. Additionally, Manchester United might consider including current striker Rasmus Hojlund in a swap deal to facilitate the move.
However, Yorke pointed out that United need to secure Champions League football to be able to attract such big name signings. The club are 16th in the league, a world away from the Champions League spots, but they have an opportunity to still make it to Europe’s elite competition next season by winning the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur on 21 May.
“Getting into the Champions League has a bigger picture for Manchester United,” said Yorke. “It’s about being able to attract players and keeping the name of the club among the best teams in Europe.
“Whether they could compete in the tournament is another question, but even a sixth-place United can’t attract names like they used to, they need to be in the Champions League.
“The legacy of the club hasn’t changed, but the club are no longer in a position to attract the level of players that they want.”
