Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Colin Millar

Erik ten Hag plan receives boost with transfer decision after PSG allow Lionel Messi exit

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen does not wish to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer and would prefer a move to the Premier League.

PSG were eyeing a move for the Nigerian striker as they will allow Lionel Messi to leave at the end of his contract. Mirror Football exclusively reported that PSG are no longer prioritising a new deal for Messi, who is out of contract this summer.

There could well be a transformation of PSG’s attack next season with the future of Neymar also coming under question. Two of the club’s highest three earners may not be at the club next campaign, allowing them to invest more heavily in transfer fees and a different profile of forward.

Osimhen is a key transfer target for both PSG and United. United sent scouts to watch the Nigerian in their Champions League quarter final clash against Milan last week. The 24-year-old is highly regard by United transfer chiefs and he heads the club’s striking shortlist.

A report in Foot Mercato outlines how the player has little interest in moving to Paris this summer. The striker, who has bagged 26 goals this season across all competitions, is said to prefer either a move to the Premier League or the Bundesliga.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt are also both being tracked by PSG – as is the case for Erik ten Hag’s side. It appears both will now be in direct competition for star strikers in the upcoming transfer window.

Osimhen has bagged 26 goals across all competitions for Napoli this season (Getty Images)

Have Your Say! Which striker should Man Utd sign this summer? Tell us what you think here.

Osimhen is believed to be the preferred option for both clubs but the latest report should not come as a surprise. Last month, he confirmed his intentions of wanting to play in England – in comments that sparked the possibility of a summer switch to Old Trafford.

Osimhen said: "I think playing in one of the top five leagues in the world is an amazing feeling for me. A lot of people worldwide consider the Premier League as the best and the strongest league but now I'm in one of the best leagues in the world which is the Italian Serie A.

"I'm working so hard to make sure that I achieve my dream of playing in the Premier League someday but as I said, it's a process and I just want to keep on this momentum and continue to do well."

United are in the market for a striker this summer with Wout Weghorst’s loan deal due to expire and question marks over the future of Anthony Martial. Marcus Rashford, who prefers to play from the left, is the only other recognised senior striker in the club’s squad.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.