Victor Osimhen is still contracted to Galatasaray as Tuesday afternoon in Istanbul turns to evening in Manchester, and the sceptics have the maths on their side.
But an ESPN column running through the final hours of Africa’s transfer window left the door ajar for a late Manchester United move, and it is that framing, one of the world’s most coveted strikers set against one of the world’s biggest clubs on the day the market shuts, that has kept the story breathing.
The Nigeria forward joined the Turkish champions on a permanent basis last summer, signing a four-year contract in a €75m deal that set a Süper Lig transfer record.
That is the wall a Premier League buyer would have to knock down before England’s 11pm local time cut-off. There is no public sign of Manchester United lifting a fist to it.
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Louis Saha keeps the story burning
The loudest recent noise around the Old Trafford link has not come from Old Trafford. It has come from a former player.
“I know for a fact that Victor Osimhen is a Manchester United fan. He loves Man United,” Louis Saha told Metro on Sunday.
“All United have to do is make the connection, but that’s why it hasn’t happened yet. Osimhen is still waiting.”
Saha, now a pundit, argued that Osimhen would suit Michael Carrick’s forward line alongside Benjamin Sesko. No credible outlet has reported an official approach.
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The Ndiaye move is done
Where deadline day is producing hard fact rather than speculation is elsewhere on the African market.
Manchester City have agreed a package worth up to £65m with Everton for Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye, with an initial £60m fee and a further £5m in add-ons. The 26-year-old, who scored six goals for David Moyes’s side last season, was set for a medical before the deadline. City moved for him after their approach for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo stalled.
Aston Villa land Ibrahim Mbaye
The other headline African deal of the day is at Villa Park.
Aston Villa have reached a verbal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye for around £47m, with reporting from late in the window indicating the 18-year-old had completed his medical. Mbaye made 24 Ligue 1 appearances for PSG last season, contributing three goals and two assists from the right wing.
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Mbaye follows the £65m arrival of Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, brought in as a replacement for Ollie Watkins.
“Now it’s a new chapter with Nicolas Jackson. Of course, all the best for him in Saudi. We are replacing him,” Unai Emery told Sky Sports.
The Premier League cut-off is tonight
The Premier League window closes at 11pm local time on Tuesday, 1 September. Turkey’s own market stays open longer, so any Osimhen movement, incoming or outgoing, could in principle still be finalised after the English deadline.
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