Manchester United director Matt Hargreaves has been in Naples this week to hold a ‘meeting’ about signing Victor Osimhen, according to reports in Italy.

Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli journalist Valter De Maggio (via ilnapolista.it) claims that Hargreaves met with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis and sporting director Giovanni Manna.

It is believed that conditions for a potential swap deal were discussed with Laurentiis and Manna requesting €40m (£34m) plus Rasmus Hojlund in exchange for Osimhen.

The Nigerian international does not have a future at the Serie A champions, having spent the season on loan at Galatasaray, and he is expected to leave Italy this summer.

Napoli’s demands for Osimhen are excessive

It should be pointed out that the 26-year-old (who has scored 150 goals in his senior career) is out of contract at the end of next season.

Osimhen does have a release clause worth €75m (£63m) but the fact that the striker is closing in on the final twelve months of his current deal means his value is depreciating by the day.

In that context, asking for a fee in excess of £30m plus Hojlund (who was signed for £72m from Atalanta two years ago) is exorbitant.

Man United have lost out on their main striker target

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Hargreaves’ decision to travel to Italy was likely prompted by the decision of Liam Delap to reject a move to Old Trafford. Although the news has only emerged over the last day or so, it’s likely that the Red Devils would have known a lot earlier than that.

Osimhen has clearly been identified as an alternative, with a move for Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres also believed to be dead in the water. We shall see if the Manchester club do step up their efforts to buy the Napoli forward.

Read our exclusive interview with Paul Parker as he explains why Delap would be a perfect fit for United and discusses the future of Bruno Fernandes.