Cross one name off the list, and add one on.
Manchester United are on the hunt for the perfect striker to revive their flailing fortunes next season and the shortlist of possible candidates is now not so short after all.
Since the January window closed, the Red Devils have been linked with Liam Delap, Viktor Gyokeres, Dusan Vlahovic, Victor Osimhen, Hugo Ekitike, Moise Kean, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Samu Aghehowa, Ollie Watkins and Jonathan David, to name but a selection.
Strike two
The latter, David, seemed like a match made in heaven; a free agent and lethal finisher, he seemed to speak head coach Ruben Amorim’s language in terms of football and part-owners INEOS’ language in terms of finance.
However, today it is official: David has joined Delap in the list of strikers snapped up by other clubs when his transfer to Juventus was confirmed.
Bizarrely, United never even made a bid for the Canadian, at least, not one reported by the mainstream media.
But fear not, the jungle drums have no intention of slowing. As quickly as one name is crossed off the list, another has been added to it: that of Marcus Thuram.
Fresh blood
According to various reports from Italy, including Calciomercato.com, Thuram, Inter’s talented counterfoil to Lautaro Martinez in Simeone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 system, could be looking for pastures new after getting involved in a public spat with the club captain following the Nerazzurri’s shock exit from the Club World Cup.
In an interview following the defeat to Fluminense, Martínez openly questioned the commitment of his teammates, saying: “We have a clear message: anyone who wants to stay must stay, anyone who doesn’t want to stay here should leave.”
Martinez mentioned no names, but Inter president Beppe Marota suggested he was referring to Hakan Calhanoglu, who travelled but did not play and is reportedly pushing for a return to his native Turkey to play for Galatasaray.
Calhanoglu posted a long and detailed defence on Instagram, which Thuram liked. He was the only Inter player to do so and the Italian media now believe there is a dressing room rift that could lead to the Frenchman leaving.
Being involved in public spats and posting inappropriate social media content? Thuram would fit right in at United, so add him to the list, why don’t you? And that is exactly what Calciomercato have done.
“Thuram is popular in the Premier League,” the outlet reported. “The teams potentially interested in the number 9, who has a clause of 85 million euros [are] Arsenal and Manchester United, who are looking for a centre-forward…
“…Thuram’s name could be tempting for the English, but PSG should not be underestimated either, having sought him in 2023, before his free transfer to Inter.”
Calcio’s report may turn out to be true, but it seems unlikely. Whatever United’s genuine plans are for a striker, it would be a huge surprise were they to involve paying €85 million for anyone, no matter how good a player.
Featured image Michael Reaves via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
