Manchester United are determined to bring in a new striker this summer, but recruitment in that key position is proving difficult.
The club have successfully strengthened in the two number 10 spots behind the centre-forward, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha arriving from Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively.
But as it stands Ruben Amorim will be taking his team into the new season with Rasmus Hojlund, scorer of only four Premier League goals last time around, as his number 9.
Names on the shortlist
That’s not to say the Red Devils aren’t trying to sign their manager a new striker. Ever since Amorim’s arrival the club have been linked with Sporting CP marksman Viktor Gyokeres, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has also been under consideration.
More recently, links emerged to Premier League options in Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa, while the long-standing interest in RB Leipzig goalscorer Benjamin Sesko has also resurfaced.
No compromises
In The Athletic David Ornstein has revealed today, however, that a deal for any of these players is far from imminent with the Red Devils not willing to sign players who are not champing at the bit to move to Old Trafford.
He reports that United “tried to enter the race” for Ekitike last week only to find that the forward had committed to Liverpool. The club then “enquired” about Gyokeres, although that enquiry was doomed to failure as the striker “has made clear he is interested only in joining Arsenal.”
In the same report Laurie Whitwell acknowledged the reports in Portugal that suggested United were close to an agreement with Sporting over the Sweden international but noted that club sources “insisted the club had not made a bid and would not be doing so.” Echoing the general consensus, he said that while Amorim “likes” his former charge, “the player’s focus has been Arsenal, with a deal close.”
In terms of a feasible deal, Ornstein emphasised that United “do not intend to advance on anyone unless the desire is mutual”, which while frustrating for fans is undoubtedly a sensible policy to pursue particularly given the club’s current status.
Other options
Ornstein went on to confirm that Sesko, Watkins and Jackson are names that “feature on recruitment lists at many leading clubs”, including United. He also delivered a dose of realism, stating that “talks have taken place” in relation to all three players, however this is “normal” rather than indicating an imminent signing.
Indeed, none of that trio are “currently being actively pursued” due to the costs involved, with figures in the region of £60m or more bandied around for each player. The journalist notes that things could change over the course of the window should prices come down, but for now “United are placing greater emphasis on alternative options”.
Whitwell identifies the other key factor which could open the door to an exciting new centre-forward, namely the departure of their existing first-choice option. “Spending significantly on a centre-forward would require Rasmus Hojlund leaving,” he said, noting that this possibility “remains open into the second half of the window.”
Long-term target
Adding some further detail on Sesko, Whitwell noted that United first looked at the player when he was just 16 years old playing for Domzale in his native Slovenia.
More recently “talks were held last summer” and communication has been “open” this year, but the 22-year-old is “not currently the subject of serious attention.”
Whitwell confirms that this is due to the finances of both a deal with Leipzig and the wages the player would demand, both of which are “deemed incompatible with United’s budget and his performances in the Bundesliga last season.”
Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
