The January transfer window has only just closed, but already two of Europe's biggest clubs are targeting a player who could move for a nine-figure fee in the summer. ESPN's Insider Notebook has the latest.
Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain will be expected to pay a transfer fee of at least €100 million ($109m) if they are to win the race for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen's signature during the summer transfer window, a source with knowledge of the player's valuation told ESPN.
Osimhen, 24, has become one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe this season by leading Napoli's pursuit of a first Serie A title since 1990. The Nigeria international has scored 15 goals in 20 games in all competitions and, with 14 league goals, is two clear of Atalanta's Ademola Lookman in the chase for the Capocannoniere award as Serie A's top scorer.
A source has told ESPN that Napoli will not part with Osimhen for less than €100m, however, and that the prospect of United and PSG both making a serious effort to sign the player has raised the possibility of an even greater fee. Osimhen has two years left to run on his contract at Napoli, having arrived at the club in a €70m move from Lille in 2020.
Sources told ESPN last month that United completed a six-month loan deal for Burnley's Netherlands international forward Wout Weghorst in order to avoid committing to an 18-month contract for a permanent signing, thereby enabling the club to be free to pursue the top-class centre-forward manager Erik ten Hag has identified as a priority this summer. -- Mark Ogden
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PSG still angry with Chelsea over bungled Ziyech deal
Paris Saint-Germain won 3-1 at Montpellier on Wednesday, but the main topic of conversation among people at the club was the failed deadline-day transfer of Hakim Ziyech the previous night. Sources at the Ligue 1 champions have told ESPN that they are furious with Chelsea for allowing the deal to collapse, and are claiming that they will never do any business with the London club again.
PSG are blaming Chelsea for being late in sending the correct paperwork to finalise the loan of the Morocco international on three occasions: the first document included a mistake, while the next two were received without being signed.
The documents were all in order at the fourth attempt but by that time it was 12:03 a.m. GMT in France, three minutes after the deadline, and the deal could not to be registered by the French league.
What made things worse from PSG's point of view was that, after the first mistake, they tried to call Chelsea five times but no one answered. The English club have apologised, explaining that they were focused on finalising the British-record transfer of Enzo Fernandez, but PSG remain unhappy. -- Julien Laurens
Man United owners split over club sale
The Glazer family remain undecided about whether to accept a full sale of Manchester United or partial investment, with sources telling ESPN that some within the ownership group believe that the value of the club could skyrocket if manager Erik ten Hag can oversee a sustained period of success on the pitch.
The Glazers are exploring "strategic alternatives," which include a sale or outside investment and designated financial advisors The Raine Group fielding expressions of interest ahead of the submission of formal proposals.
