Manchester United need to add quality up front in the summer given the woeful form of their forward players this season.
Rasmus Hojlund has not scored in his last 16 appearances while Joshua Zirkzee has been inconsistent at best. It is clear that Marcus Rashford will also not be returning to the club.
With Amad out for the long-term and Alejandro Garnacho’s future up in the air, Ruben Amorim could do with a versatile forward apart from a clinical striker.
The Red Devils have been linked with a sensational summer move for Juventus’ brightest young talent Kenan Yildiz with the Turin-based outfit contemplating a reluctant sale owing to financial woes according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Yildiz could be on the move
The Serie A giants have crashed out of the Champions League and are fighting to qualify for Europe’s premier competition through their league standing. Currently they are fourth but given their inconsistent form, they may yet miss out.
Which is why Juve sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is considering the sale of the Turkish wonderkid whose sale could raise as much as €80-90 million (£66m-£76m) with Premier League’s biggest clubs chasing his signature.
“Champions League or no Champions League makes all the difference in the world, even on the market. Without fourth place and the UEFA prizes, Juventus will be forced to cash in on a few rich farewells.
“Technical director Cristiano Giuntoli is aiming to cash in on a hundred million between Andrea Cambiaso (City, Bayern or Real Madrid) and Dusan Vlahovic, increasingly on the sidelines after the decision not to renew his contract. The sales of the Azzurri and the number nine, however, may not be enough to settle the accounts and finance the next moves.
“For all these reasons, at Continassa they are keeping an alternative plan in store: the sacrifice of starlet Kenan Yildiz, the most sought-after of the Bianconeri in the living rooms of the Premier League.
United ready to pounce
“(Jorge) Mendes, who is involved in all major deals, informed the Juventus manager of the growing interest from City, Chelsea, Liverpool and United. Next July, a cheque for 80-90 million would be difficult to refuse, especially without the Champions League.”
The Bianconeri had turned down Chelsea’s €60 million approach last summer but they might not be in a position to turn down a higher offer this summer.
Despite being only 19, Yildiz has six goals and five assists this season and has already become a mainstay in the Juventus team, playing in every game this term.
He can play on either flank as well as operate as an attacking midfielder or support striker, just the kind of versatility Amorim wants from his recruits. The fact that the Turkiye international has shone for a dysfunctional team shows he is ready for the pressures of United.
The forward would like to remain in Turin but Juventus could be forced to part ways. While he fits INEOS’ youth-first approach, whether they can afford the Turkish superstar remains to be seen.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
