United to go all out to land 17-goal lethal superstar in the summer, £53m will get the job done – report

Manchester United’s need for goals cannot be understated with the form of the club’s forward players giving head coach Ruben Amorim sleepless nights.

Only four teams have scored fewer goals than the Red Devils despite the the Old Trafford side creating 50 big chances, more than third-placed Nottingham Forest.

Rasmus Hojlund has not netted in the last 16 games across all competitions while Joshua Zirkzee is not a natural No 9 as suggested by the head coach.

Amad, easily the club’s player of the season, is out for the long-term while Alejandro Garnacho has started misfiring at the worst possible time for Amorim.

Lookman on United’s radar

Apart from a ruthless striker, the ex-Sporting CP boss could do with a versatile goal-threat capable of filling multiple holes in the squad given Garnacho’s uncertain future and with Marcus Rashford and Antony unlikely to return to the team.

Which is why, as per Teamtalk, the Red Devils are plotting a summer move for red-hot Atalanta talisman Ademola Lookman.

The Nigerian’s goal record is impressive with 17 goals and seven assists in 24 starts across competitions. He can play out wide on either flank as well as a second striker and in an attacking midfield role.

Last season, the Nigeria international scored 17 times while registering 10 assists including a hat-trick in the Europa League final for the Italian side.

The 27-year-old and the Bergamo-based outfit’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini had a major falling-out following the club’s recent Champions League exit and Lookman is focusing on leaving the Serie A in the summer.

He is only 27 and has previous experience of playing in the Premier League with stints at Fulham and Everton with Atalanta looking at earning €65 million from his sale.

Several clubs also in the race

United are not the only team chasing his signature with Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Inter Milan also in the race.

“Newcastle are considering a summer move for Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman and could face competition from Manchester United, TEAMtalk understands.

“Atalanta, independently of Lookman’s spat with Gasperini, have set a price tag of around €65m (£53.8m, $68m) to let him go in the next transfer window. Along with Newcastle, Man Utd and three European giants are also keen.”

Several clubs tried to sign him last summer as well as in January but Atalanta stood firm but the latest spat with the coach could bring an end to Lookman’s stay in Italy. His contract with Atalanta ends in 2026.

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