Fabrizio Romano 1 am update: ‘Personal terms are being discussed’ as Man Utd deal closes in ahead of January Transfer

Fabrizio Romano outlined why Manchester United won’t be able to recruit a suitable Cristiano Ronaldo replacement in January, although he did back up a promising claim regarding their winter window plans.

Despite the fact that the World Cup is taking center stage in Qatar, important news has been breaking back in England at Old Trafford. The Glazer family is willing to sell, and early contenders for a takeover include Apple, Amazon, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Dubai.

Closer to home, Ronaldo’s ill-fated second spell at Manchester United has ended mutually.

The 37-year-old is now a free agent, and where he goes next will be one of the major stories in the coming weeks.

What is more important to Manchester United fans is who the club will sign to fill the hole.

With a busy post-Christmas schedule, United has apparently determined that a January addition is necessary to ensure Erik ten Hag has enough firepower.

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A sensational move for Paris Saint-Kylian Germain’s Mbappe has been proposed. A July transfer rather than a January swoop would have a better chance of success, yet the Mirror insists United will attempt again in January. Furthermore, PSG is apparently interested in a replacement who previously moved for £113 million.

According to the Mirror, a more likely goal is Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. Cody Gakpo of PSV Eindhoven and Marcus Thuram of Borussia Monchengladbach have also been extensively linked.

Fabrizio Romano’s report today concerns Osimhem, and it makes for depressing reading for United fans.

To begin, Romano confirmed claims that United is seeking a direct Ronaldo successor in January and are unwilling to wait until the end of the season. That will be very good news for Ten Hag.

However, the transfer guru explained why Osimhen, 23, will not be joining the Red Devils in the upcoming window.

Napoli closed its doors in January.

“We know Manchester United are likely to be looking for attacking players to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, but I wouldn’t get too enthusiastic about links with Victor Osimhen,” Romano wrote for CaughtOffside.

“Napoli has stated that they will not sell Osimhen or any other player in January.”

“The price tag in the summer was €120 million (about £103 million), but nothing happened; now they’re performing well in Serie A and the Champions League, so there are no plans to transfer him in January.”

Osimhen is a versatile center-forward known for his hard work ethic off the ball. That isn’t to say he lacks end product in possession, as he has nine goals and three assists in just 11 Serie A games this season.

Osimhen is Napoli’s key striker, and he has guided the club to an eight-point lead in Serie A. They also have a Champions League campaign starting after Christmas, making a January sale unlikely.

While a move for the Nigerian international may be considered in the future, it appears that United will have to search elsewhere in January.