Manchester United’s primary priority in the summer will be to bring in a ruthless finisher with Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles laid bare this season.
The Dane only has eight goals this season and only one in the last 100 days. His overall play has been rightly criticised and Ruben Amorim wants him gone in the summer.
What the head coach ideally wants is a reunion with Sporting CP protege Viktor Gyokeres but the Swede has already turned down a move to Old Trafford in January as he seeks a move to a club which will offer him Champions League football.
The Red Devils might not be in a position to offer him the same and hence have moved on to Victor Osimhen, who has no such demands. But his wages and Napoli’s asking price might prove beyond INEOS’ reach given the club’s current financial predicament.
Lucca on United’s radar
Which is why low-cost options are being monitored like Liam Delap. Now Tuttomercatoweb have added a brand-new name into the mix — Lorenzo Lucca.
The Udinese striker has impressed this season, netting 12 goals and registering a couple of assists in 27 starts in all competitions, an impressive tally given the Italian club are languishing in 10th place in the Serie A standings.
His form has already seen him break into the Italian national set-up this season and current Serie A leaders Napoli are in pole position for his signature.
He has been described as “imposing” striker owing to his 6ft 7in frame but he is very pacey for his size, which explains the growing interest in his services.
“Lorenzo Lucca, the Udinese centre forward has reached high levels. In these last two years he has shown his entire repertoire but probably has not yet fully expressed his potential.
Napoli also in the race
“Of course 35 million are needed but his characteristics are ideal for the project that Napoli has in mind. There is also interest in him from abroad — Manchester United and West Ham but it is clear that if the blue club decided to accelerate decisively they would move into an advantageous position.”
Udinese’s demand of €35 million will not be difficult for United to match but he is 24 and has just started scoring consistently this season.
In other words, it is not worth the risk and the 20-time English league champions should focus on a more well-rounded option who can handle the pressure of leading the line at Old Trafford.
Lucca is not the only Udinese player on United’s radar with the three-time European champions also keeping tabs on centre-back Oumar Solet.
Feature image Timothy Rogers 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
