Marcus Rashford could be at the heart of a high-profile swap deal between Manchester United and Napoli involving Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
The £60 million-rated Rashford, 27, has reportedly turned down three lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia—each worth up to £675,000 per week—as he prioritizes regaining his place in the England squad under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
Napoli Interest Sparks Swap Deal Talks
Napoli manager Antonio Conte, is eyeing Rashford to bolster his Serie A side, opening the door for Manchester United to pursue Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen, 26, currently on loan at Galatasaray, has a £62 million release clause and could be available for a move this month.
The Nigerian forward has been prolific for Napoli, scoring 65 goals in 108 Serie A appearances since joining from Lille in 2020. A potential swap deal would address key needs for both clubs, with United in dire need of attacking reinforcements amid a challenging season.
United’s Struggles and Rashford’s Frustration
Under-pressure United manager Ruben Amorim, whose side sits 14th in the Premier League, has dropped Rashford for five consecutive games, citing concerns over the forward’s “standards.” Rashford was notably absent during United’s 2-1 derby win over Manchester City in December and has since expressed a desire for a “new challenge.”
Could Manchester United pull off a swap deal between Marcus Rashford and Victor Osimhen? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/M9VaJ8ptFo
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 3, 2025
Despite ongoing talks with Napoli, Rashford has not ruled out staying at Old Trafford, where he remains under contract until 2028. However, a departure could provide United with a significant financial boost as they aim to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules while reshaping the squad.
Saudi Temptation Rejected
Rashford has also rejected substantial offers from three Saudi Arabian clubs, which would have made him the highest-paid English footballer in history, surpassing Harry Kane’s £400,000-a-week earnings at Bayern Munich.
Osimhen’s Situation
Victor Osimhen’s future has been uncertain since he was loaned to Galatasaray after falling out of favor with Napoli’s Conte. Manchester United had shown interest in the summer but moves to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia failed to materialize.
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With the Red Devils now desperate for goals, Osimhen could be a key addition if the swap deal materializes.
Rashford Exploring Options
Rashford is reportedly in talks with Stellar, a sports agency, to secure a move this month. They are expected to collaborate with his brother and representative, Dwaine Maynard, to finalize the next steps in his career.
As the January transfer window heats up, all eyes will be on Rashford’s decision and whether United can secure Osimhen in a move that could reshape their fortunes this season.
