has compared target Victor Osimhen to – but has warned the Napoli star must stop diving to get a move to the Premier League.
The Nigeria international scored another sensational goal in Napoli’s 2-1 win over Roma on Sunday night which saw them extend their lead at the summit of Serie A to 13 points.
With 14 goals in 16 league appearances, the 24-year-old is enjoying his most prolific campaign to date with United among his growing list of admirers.
Osimhen is on a shortlist of striker targets at Old Trafford with United set to prioritise the signing of a new centre forward in the summer.
After Sunday’s game, Mourinho lavished praise on Osimhen, comparing him to former Ivory Coast international Drogba who developed into one of the game’s most feared strikers during his time at Chelsea.
But the former United boss believes the Napoli star must stop diving so much, insisting the Premier League will ‘come down hard on him’ unless he changes that aspect of his game.
‘He is of the same level as Drogba, but Didier didn’t dive,’ Mourinho told reporters.
‘If Victor changes, then OK. I’d buy him if I was at a club with a lot of money.
‘However, if he does go to England one day, he needs to change, because in Italy they put up with this sort of behaviour, whereas in the Premier League, they’d come down hard on him.’
Mourinho added: ‘I told him that he scored a wonderful goal and needs to stop diving so much. His goal was fantastic, he did the same thing when we met earlier this season, so he’s a fantastic player. But he mustn’t dive.’
United have been limited to loan moves during the January transfer window with Wout Weghorst arriving from Burnley to bolster Erik ten Hag’s options, scoring his first goal for the club against Nottingham Forest midweek.
But a long-term option up top will be pursued in the summer with Osimhen, Harry Kane and Benfica star Goncalo Ramos among the names being considered at the club.
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