Former Manchester United centre-back and football pundit, Rio Ferdinand, has expressed his utter disbelief at Manchester United’s lack of urgency in the transfer market as Napoli striker Victor Osimhen edges closer to a surprising permanent move to Turkish side Galatasaray.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Ferdinand didn’t mince words, describing the reported £50 million bid Galatasaray has tabled for the Nigerian forward as “peanuts” for a striker of his calibre. The former England international has long been an advocate for Manchester United signing a world-class centre forward, and he believes allowing Osimhen to leave for Turkey represents a significant missed opportunity for the Premier League giants.
“I’m like a broken record. If anyone listens to my podcast, I’ve said Osimhen for a while now,” Ferdinand said. “I’ve seen today that Galatasaray have put a £50m bid in. That’s peanuts in today’s market. For someone of Osimhen’s quality, it’s a bargain.”
Osimhen, 25, has been one of Europe’s most consistent strikers over the last two seasons. He netted 17 goals for Napoli last season despite the club’s poor domestic campaign and famously led them to the Serie A title in 2022/23 — their first in over 30 years. His exploits have earned him widespread recognition as one of the most complete centre forwards in modern football, combining power, pace, aerial dominance, and lethal finishing.
While a host of top European clubs — including Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United — have been linked with the Nigerian, Galatasaray have surprisingly emerged as front-runners. Reports suggest personal terms between Osimhen and the Turkish champions have already been agreed, with only Napoli left to finalize the deal.
This development has not sat well with Ferdinand, who believes Manchester United’s transfer indecisiveness is costing them the opportunity to rebuild a winning team.
“Man United are crying out for a number 9,” he stressed. “We’ve been saying it for two, three seasons now. You’ve got a player like Osimhen available, and you’re watching Galatasaray step in with a £50m offer while we hesitate? It’s embarrassing.”
The Red Devils struggled in front of goal last season. Their lack of a consistent goal threat contributed to a disappointing campaign that saw them finish outside the top four and miss out on UEFA Champions League qualification. With Anthony Martial expected to leave and young Rasmus Højlund still developing, the need for a proven forward has never been greater.
Ferdinand insists Osimhen ticks all the boxes and could be the catalyst to return the club to its glory days.
“He scores goals. Not just tap-ins. Big goals in big games. He did it in Serie A, he did it in the Champions League, and he’s still young,” the former defender noted. “If United had any ambition, they would’ve wrapped this deal up months ago.”
Ferdinand also criticised the valuation of £50 million as far below what a player of Osimhen’s stature deserves, suggesting that in today’s market inflated by demand and competition, such a fee is no longer viewed as excessive for elite strikers.
“£50 million in 2025? That’s the going rate for backup wingers these days,” he added. “And here we are, watching a top-class striker go to the Turkish league while we’re looking around scratching our heads.”
The potential move to Galatasaray is shocking for more reasons than one. While the Turkish Super Lig champions are ambitious and preparing for the UEFA Champions League group stages, few expected them to seriously rival Premier League or La Liga clubs for Osimhen’s signature. However, it appears the club is willing to break their transfer record and make Osimhen their marquee signing of the summer.
Galatasaray’s bid also includes lucrative wages and a leading role in the team’s European campaign — a prospect that may have tempted Osimhen after a frustrating season with Napoli. Yet Ferdinand and many football analysts believe that a player of his profile belongs at a club competing for the biggest trophies in Europe on a regular basis.
“Osimhen should be playing Champions League semi-finals, league deciders in England or Spain, not on a cold night in Kayseri,” Ferdinand quipped. “He’s better than that, and we [Man United] need players like that.”
Fans have echoed Ferdinand’s frustration on social media, questioning why Manchester United seem slow to move for players clearly capable of transforming the squad. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS group now overseeing football operations at Old Trafford, expectations were high that the club would approach the summer window with clarity and aggression.
However, with targets like Viktor Gyokeres reportedly heading to Arsenal and Joshua Zirkzee being pursued by AC Milan, Manchester United’s striker shortlist appears to be shrinking — and patience is wearing thin.
The Red Devils are expected to act in the coming weeks, but with Osimhen seemingly on his way to Istanbul, many will view this as another opportunity lost — unless a last-minute hijack occurs.
For Rio Ferdinand, the message is clear: Manchester United must stop dithering and start making decisive moves in the market if they wish to compete with Europe’s elite again.
“Until we start acting like a big club again — moving fast, being decisive, taking risks — we’re going to keep losing out on the best talent,” he warned. “Osimhen could’ve been the statement signing this club needs. Now we’re sitting on the sidelines watching.”
As the transfer saga continues to unfold, Africa Live News will provide exclusive updates and insights into Victor Osimhen’s next move, Manchester United’s strategy in the market, and the biggest stories shaping the 2025 summer window.
