Manchester United’s need for a striker is glaring given Rasmus Hojlund’s form this season. The Dane enjoyed yet another anonymous outing against Everton last Saturday.
The Dane’s goal drought has crossed 16 games now and he is offering very little at the moment apart from backing into defenders to eventually lose the physical contest.
Coaches are reportedly fed up with his ineffective displays and Ruben Amorim is open to his sale in the summer. The Portuguese wants INEOS to back him heavily after failing to do so in January.
Both Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen are among the club’s top targets but with no Champions League football on the cards next season and given the Nigerian’s wage demands, the Old Trafford side are keeping a list of alternatives ready.
Delap, Sesko are targets
Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap has been mentioned as one of the targets with the former Manchester City star’s exploits in a struggling Ipswich team really catching Amorim’s eye.
With the Tractor Boys likely to get relegated, the 22-year-old could be available for a cut-price fee with the Red Devils joined by Chelsea in the race.
Another young star on United’s radar is Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig. The Slovenian has been a long-term target for the club and next summer could be finally the time United go all out for the 21-year-old.
Sesko has been on fire for Leipzig, scoring 16 times this season and he has naturally attracted plenty of interest with Arsenal said to be one of his suitors along with the 20-time English league champions.
Givemesport have claimed that United are behind the Blues and the Gunners in the race for the aforementioned duo and are expected to miss out should they try.
“I think at this stage, Chelsea are front-runners for Liam Delap, and the expectation is that whether Ipswich go down or stay up, he will likely leave this summer,” journalist Ben Jacobs said.
Chelsea, Arsenal ahead of United in the race
“And it seems pretty clear right now, unless Alexander Isak and a Newcastle exit influences the situation, that Arsenal feel most optimistic about Benjamin Sesko.
“Chelsea are optimistic about Liam Delap, but also have Sesko on their list. And Manchester United have looked at both of those players, but could well miss out on each of them.”
United will be hoping to convince either of Gyokeres or Osimhen to reduce their demands for one season in case Delap and Sesko are out of bounds.
Dusan Vlahovic is also reportedly a target but there is also a chance that Hojlund remains at the club which might mean an expensive outlay becomes impossible. All eyes on the summer window and INEOS.
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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
