Manchester United should follow Manchester City’s lead and avoid a costly move for Tottenham forward Harry Kane this summer.
That’s according to former Red Devils hitman Andy Cole, who believes the club need to think about the ‘long-term’ by signing Victor Osimhen instead this summer.
Erik ten Hag will sign a centre forward this summer following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in December.
The Dutchman is currently weighing up moves for either Kane or Osimhen but there are advantages and disadvantages to both deals.
While Kane is proven over his Premier League career and would have no problem settling in at Old Trafford, the forward turns 30 this summer.
That means he’d have little to no sell-on value and, with Spurs demanding around £100m for the forward, United would be breaking their club transfer record knowing that they would recoup very little of it down the lines.
Osimhen has lit up Serie A this season but the Nigerian would be expected to hit the ground running in a new league and he lacks the experience Kane has.
However, at 24, United would be protecting an investment of what could end up being around £120m if Napoli decide to cash in.
Manchester City attempted to sign Kane in 2021, only to see Spurs block their move. The club signed Erling Haaland 12 months later and the Norwegian will cost at least twice the £60m City paid for him if he leaves the club in the coming years.
And Cole believes that United should follow suit by opting to sign Osimhen instead.
‘Harry Kane is 30 next year, Victor Osimhen is 24 – and he’s already done a lot at his age,’ Cole told King Casino Bonus.
‘Italian football is difficult but there will be no doubts over whether he can adapt to the Premier League.
‘If Manchester United want to pay £100m for a 24-year-old or a 30-year-old, you have to look at it in the long-term.
‘The only value Manchester United can get from Kane is if he can win them the Premier League.
‘Meanwhile, Osimhen is near the same age as Erling Haaland and look what he’s doing at the moment. If Haaland stays at Manchester City for another four years, he’ll still be worth £100m or more, so it depends on what Manchester United are looking for.
‘Unfortunately in football, everyone wants instant success, but that does not guarantee a bright future for the club
‘Look at Manchester City, they did not have instant success and look at them now. The players Pep Guardiola brought in were always young and he could still sell them for a decent price if he needed to.
‘That’s what I think Manchester United should do because they have been caught too many times bringing in players for ridiculous fees and on ridiculous wages who have run down their contracts, I don’t think they can afford to be caught in that position again.’
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