Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, amid the continued uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo.

What's the word?

That's according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, who wrote on Twitter about the Red Devils' interest in the Nigeria international, stating: "Osimhen: He‘s definitely a potential top transfer target for MUFC! Regardless of whether a swap deal with Ronaldo works out or not. The bosses see a lot of quality & development potential in him. He’s on the list. No negotiations with him at this stage. "

As the transfer insider alluded to above, there have been reports of late coming out of Italy that the 23-year-old could be part of a swap deal that would see the wantaway United man head in the other direction.

Further reports have also indicated that the Serie A side are 'pushing' to sign the 37-year-old icon before the September deadline, with manager Erik ten Hag set to be willing to let the former Juventus man depart in the coming days.

Imagine him and Antony

Should Ronaldo exit after angling for a move all summer, the Old Trafford outfit will no doubt need to acquire a suitable replacement with deadline day looming, with the explosive Osimhen clearly an impressive option.

The £94k-per-week speedster has been in stunning form during his spell in Naples thus far, scoring 30 goals and providing ten assists in just 65 games in all competitions, having previously registered 24 goal contributions in just 28 games at form club Lille.

Having also enjoyed brief spells at both Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg and Belgian side RSC Charleroi, the £58.5m-rated menace boasts an eye-catching overall club career tally of 68 goals in just 155 appearances - a rate only slightly below that of a goal every two games.

The last campaign, in particular, proved particularly fruitful for the 15-cap "machine" - as dubbed by journalist Mina Rzouki - as he delivered 18 goals and six assists across all competitions, with only Bruno Fernandes (ten goals, 14 assists) and the aforementioned Ronaldo (24 goals and three assists) matching or bettering that tally of goal involvements among the United squad last term.

His addition could well be part of an exciting forward line shake-up under new boss Ten Hag, with the Dutchman looking set to be reunited with Brazil international Antony, after a deal was agreed to bring the winger to England from Ajax.

The left-footed gem arrives with an impressive reputation as a tricky and creative attacking talent, having laid on 46 goal contributions in just 82 games for the Eredivisie outfit, notably recording 12 goals and ten assists in the 2021/22 campaign from his right-wing berth.

That potent goal threat should help to improve an attacking unit that saw the likes of Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford score just 11 goals between them in all competitions last term, with a fresh face having been needed to apply some strong competition to that trio.

Having both the 22-year-old and Osimhen partnered together in attack could well see Ten Hag able to more smoothly implement the approach that worked so well in Holland last season, with Antony providing the creative touch for imposing and clinical centre-forward, Sebastian Haller.

The hope will be that the 52-year-old can replicate such a devastating duo if the Nigerian ace can be signed in the coming days.