Man Utd Transfer News: Dusan Vlahovic vs Victor Osimhen - What do the stats say?
Manchester United have been linked with strikers Vlahovic and Osimhen this month. But who would be the better signing?
Whether he should have gone for goal himself or the pass to Harry Maguire was the logical decision, even if the centre-back ballooned his chance over the bar at Anfield, remains to be seen. Fact is, Joshua Zirkzee is likely to leave Manchester United sooner rather than later. The Dutchman was hauled off early on in the 2-0 loss to Newcastle at the end of 2024 and yet could have gone out in a blaze of glory in United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.
A return to Serie A has been mooted. Zirkzee excelled for Bologna last season and with the attack built to his strengths, it was no surprise he shone in Italy’s top tier. The 23-year-old, though, doesn’t quite have the mobility to succeed under Ruben Amorim, which has heightened rumours he’ll be shown the Old Trafford exit before long. Signed under Erik ten Hag, it’s no surprise that Zirkzee is struggling with Amorim at the helm.
United, though, would need a replacement were they to allow Zirkzee to leave this month. Amorim’s side can ill-afford to head into the second half of the season with just the inconsistent Rasmus Hojlund as the only recognisied striker, particularly with Marcus Rashford also expected to depart before the transfer window closes at the start of February.
As one might expect, United have been linked with a couple of strikers in the winter window. Whether that is just agent talk or otherwise, the standout names are Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic. It’s not the first time both strikers have been linked with a move to England. Osimhen was touted with a Premier League switch in the summer with Chelsea viewed as a viable destination. The move to the Blues failed to materialise and with a return to the Napoli setup out of the question; the Nigeria international joined Turkish side Galatasaray on loan.
Galatasaray would be reluctant to lose Osimhen this month but there are set clauses in his deal that means he is able to leave the Super Lig leaders should a European heavyweight make a move for him in January. Whether United fit this category remains to be seen, but with Galatasaray unable to make the striker’s move permanent, there is a possibility they’ll lose Osimhen, which would be a huge blow. The 26-year-old is, after all, the best rated player in the Super Lig this season having returned a WhoScored rating of 7.68.
No player has been directly involved in more goals than Osimhen (13 – 10 goals, 3 assists) in the 2024/25 Super Lig campaign, while an xG per 90 return of 1.07 is the best of those to have managed at least 20 shots. He’s adjusted to the rigours of Turkish football with ease, though this was to be expected of a striker of Osimhen’s calibre. The issue, though, is that if he is on the market, then any number of high-profile clubs performing better than United would surely firm up their interest in the frontman.
With that, United would have to manage expectations and appreciate that, even with Amorim in charge, they sit further down the pecking order than they once did. Osimhen would be the better capture, but Vlahovic is a more realistic target, especially if reports of Juventus’ interest in Zirkzee is to be believed.
While Vlahovic hasn’t disappointed for Juventus this season, scoring seven times and laying on an additional one assist for the Old Lady, the inconsistency to his finishing has at times held him and the club back. Indeed, only Roberto Piccoli (16) has missed more clear-cut chances than Vlahovic (12) in Serie A this season. The Serb is getting into the goalscoring positions, but is struggling to tuck these chances away, resulting in a conversion rate of just 12.7%. By comparison, Osimhen boasts a conversion rate of 19.2% in the Super Lig this season and has missed 11 big chances.
While United fans would be dreaming of Osimhen rocking up at Old Trafford, they may have to settle for Vlahovic if a transfer is on the cards in the transfer window. A swap deal with Juventus, which would see Zirkzee go the other way has been mooted, and while Vlahovic would be an upgrade on the Netherlands international; Osimhen would be far and away the superior fit to lead the attack for Amorim’s side.
