There is one question that is becoming dominant among Manchester United's supporters ahead of the summer transfer window: Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen?
The Reds, who will resume their Premier League campaign with a trip to St James' Park to face fellow Champions League hopefuls Newcastle United on April 2, are set to prioritise the addition of a new striker ahead of next season and Tottenham Hotspur ace Kane and Napoli sensation Osimhen have positioned themselves at the top of their wish list.
United manager Erik ten Hag, as reported by the Manchester Evening News earlier this month, has earmarked Kane as his preferred target to strengthen the club's attacking options. The England captain is out of contract at Spurs in June 2024, meaning United could fancy their chances of tempting Spurs into a sale this forthcoming summer, giving them the opportunity to cash-in before they run the risk of losing him for free 12 months later.
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The 29-year-old, who is widely renowned as one of the greatest strikers in the world, would offer United the guarantee of goals and bags of Premier League experience. Including this season to date, he has scored 23, 27, 33, 24 and 24 goals across the last five campaigns in all competitions for Spurs.
His hit-rate in front of goal is second to none, hence why he has Alan Shearer's all-time Premier League goals record of 260 in his sights. He would be a statement signing and send out a clear message that United mean business under Ten Hag.
On the flip side, though, Kane will already be 30 by the time next season gets underway, meaning, from that juncture, he will start to be described as a player that is moving towards the end of his career, as opposed to his peak. However, the former Leicester City loanee has not yet shown any signs to suggest he is slowing down in front of goal.
His proven record in the Premier League and consistent record season-on-season in front of goal is what has made him a first-choice candidate for many of United's fans. However, some of them, in the opposing corner, have thrown their full weight of support behind Osimhen because of his age and that they believe he is better suited to Ten Hag's style of play.
The Nigerian is a modern-day, athletic striker, suited to playing in systems built on pace and technical ability. At the age of just 24, he is already proving that he has the credentials to become a regular source of goals and deliver the goods at the highest level.
Osimhen has plundered 25 goals in all competitions for Napoli, as well as registering five assists, meaning he has more direct goal contributions (30) than he has appearances (29) this term. What is all the more impressive is that he spent the best part of a month out injured prior to the World Cup, ruling him out of six matches. Had he featured in those, his goals tally would likely be even greater.
For all of his brilliance this term, however, some United fans, who would prefer to see the club sign Kane, have claimed that Osimhen is a one-season wonder and people are raving about him too quickly. While his numbers in recent years cannot be directly compared with Kane's, the former Lille man has produced enough evidence to suggest he is far from being a player that is currently enjoying a fluke campaign.
Last season saw him bag 18 goals in all competitions, 14 of which came in just 27 Serie A appearances. Again, just like this season, his tally would have no doubt been even higher if it wasn't for a spell on the sidelines through injury. His first season in Naples - 2020/21 - was a similar tale, with a serious shoulder problem restricting him to ten goals.
In his final season at Lille, Osimhen scored 18 times in 38 games, as well as registering six assists. By this point, you start to get the picture; Osimhen is a proven goalscorer, delivering the goods year-on-year, proving that he isn't just a one-season wonder enjoying a campaign out of character.
The pacey forward is still an exciting prospect at the age of 24 and he has lit up Serie A this season, scoring 21 goals in just 23 games to lead the scoring charts. He has also chipped in with four goals in five Champions League appearances.
His numbers speak for themselves and Osimhen is everything but a one-season wonder. Like Kane, he would promise to be expensive, but the evidence suggests it would be money well spent.
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