Manchester United’s loss in the Europa League final means INEOS will now have to change their transfer plans for the summer window.
Matheus Cunha is expected to arrive to add creativity to the attack, but what Ruben Amorim really needs is a proven goalscorer, with Rasmus Hojlund not fit to lead the line.
Liam Delap of Ipswich Town had emerged as the club’s top choice, with Jason Wilcox pushing for his signature. But the former Manchester City ace reportedly wants to play Champions League football at his new club, which seriously jeopardises United’s chances of getting their man.
Apart from the Ipswich hitman, the Red Devils also had Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig on their list. But the Swede is unlikely to move to Old Trafford now that there will be no European football on offer.
United to target B list strikers
Sesko’s release clause of £64 million would be difficult for United to trigger unless they manage to sell a lot of players.
The Sun have claimed that the club have kept a backup list of targets ready in case of Europa League disaster and that list includes Fiorentina’s Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui of Atalanta, Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta as well as Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca.
“Should United miss out on Champions League football, it would mean shopping in a different market – less Harrods, more Waitrose. Ex-Everton forward Kean, Atalanta’s Retegui and Lucca are among the fallback options.
“Italy star Retegui, 26, has 23 goals in 31 games for Atalanta this term, with Liverpool reportedly also interested.
“Kean, 25, flopped in the Premier League with the Toffees but has revived his career with 17 league goals in 30 games for Fiorentina this season, while 6ft 7in Lucca has netted 11 Serie A goals for mid-table Udinese.
Four names on the list
“Amorim’s scouting team have also identified Crystal Palace’s Mateta, 27, following his 14-goal breakout season.
“The Frenchman, who showed his value once more in Palace’s FA Cup triumph at Wembley on Saturday, would cost around £30m, with the Eagles already resigned to losing him in the summer.”
Given the club’s current predicament, United need proven goalscorers more than potential superstars. And the names on the B list with the exception of Mateta, might take time to adjust to their new surroundings.
Deals for Joshua Zirkzee and Hojlund have shown that scoring in Italy do not necessarily translate into goals in the Premier League, so the 20-time English league champions need to be wary before pursuing either of Kean, Retegui or Lucca.
United will hope Wilcox can persuade Delap to forego his Champions League dreams for one season and come to United regardless.
Feature image Alessandro Sabbatini via Getty Images
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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
