Transfer rumors, news: Man United open talks with Osimhen

Manchester United have begun initial talks over a deal to land on-loan Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen when he returns to Napoli, while Liverpool are set to move for Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

- Initial talks have taken place between Manchester United and the representatives of on-loan Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, reports Foot Mercato. The 26-year-old, who is expected to leave Napoli permanently when he returns after his loan in the summer, is said to be seen as a strong alternative option to Sporting CP's Viktor Gyökeres, and the Red Devils have been told that he would be open to a switch to Old Trafford on wages of around €12m per season. An offer worth more than €75m is reported to be required to land the Nigeria international, though the report claims that Gyökeres remains first choice, while sources have told ESPN that Ipswich Town's Liam Delap is also on their shortlist.

- Liverpool are set to move for Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller, according to Stuttgarter-Nachrichten. Stiller, 24, has four goals and nine assists in 44 matches across all competitions and is similar in style to Real Sociedad's Martín Zubimendi, whom the Reds tried to sign last summer. Stuttgart will want a fee of around €60m for the transfer of a player who is under contract until 2028, with Arne Slot reportedly ready to open talks.

- Real Madrid are tracking Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, according to the Daily Express. The club's chief scout, Juni Calafat, is reported to be a big fan of the 21-year-old England international and has had him watched on numerous occasions this season. While Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool have also been linked, Palace are likely to demand at least €80m for his transfer.

- Florian Wirtz has informed Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso that he only wants to join Bayern Munich this summer, BILD reports. According to the German outlet, Wirtz is willing to turn down advances from Real Madrid and Manchester City to make the move happen, although nothing has been agreed. The 22-year-old is expected to cost well over €100m in the summer, which seemingly hasn't put off Bayern just yet. Wirtz has been Bayer's talisman in the Bundesliga this season, with 20 goal involvements from his 29 matches to date.

- Striker Benjamin Šeško has an €80 million release clause in his RB Leipzig contract, which becomes active this summer, reports Sky Germany. The Slovenia international, who has been heavily linked with Liverpool in recent weeks, could be allowed to move even if his release clause isn't activated -- as the German club won't stand in the player's way if a "suitable offer" comes in. Šeško, 21, has scored 13 goals in 31 Bundesliga matches this season.

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN's resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen explores how Victor Osimhen would fit at Manchester United.

First up, Osimhen would offer an immediate goal threat without the need of an extended period of adaptation. Judging by his career development and technical profile, it's fair to assume that he is less dependent on collective patterns or building understanding with his teammates. Partly because his explosive pace and direct runs off the shoulders of defenders are extremely effective and make him easy to find for the likes of Bruno Fernandes; partly due to his single-mindedness in the executing phase. He doesn't need to take many adjusting touches and even when his first touch is untidy, he still manoeuvres his body well to set up an angle to finish.

One aspect of his game which has undoubtedly developed during his loan season at Galatasaray is his aerial prowess. Indeed, six of his goals have originated from crosses or attacking set-pieces. This relatively newfound attribute makes him a target for wide deliveries and he has also expanded his finishing repertoire over the past year -- there have been a higher tally of left-footed finishes, the odd acrobatics (overhead kicks) and unexpected, snapped efforts.

What makes Osimhen stand out when measured up against other reported Manchester United targets -- Viktor Gyökeres and Liam Delap -- is his uncompromising directness. Merely outpacing opposing defenders might not be the most sophisticated measure, but it never goes out of fashion. On the flipside he's less focused on dropping deep to join the early build-ups, yet his penetrative runs rank among the most devastating in world football.

Unlike Gyökeres, Osimhen doesn't rely on dribbling to gain yards. Instead, he trusts his piercing off-the-ball running to reach goal-scoring positions.

Both are high-volume finishers. Osimhen's nearly five shots on goal per 90 minutes are extreme numbers even for the Turkish league -- Gyökeres is at 3.5 per 90 in a slightly stronger Portuguese top flight -- and while those figures are unlikely to be repeated in the English Premier League, they show his active nature in the final third.

And while Osimhen is somewhat reliant on service, he does possess some elite features that make him of use in the transitional phase, getting on the end crosses or expediting tap-ins. In contrast, Gyökeres -- and to a certain extent Delap -- are more likely to take an interest in the build-up and pressing duties.

OTHER RUMORS