Manchester United is actively pursuing new strikers as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season. The club has identified Rasmus Hojlund and Sofyan Amrabat as their top targets for the striker position.
Despite having already made some signings, including Mason Mount from Chelsea and Andre Onana from Inter, Manchester United is keen to add more players to their ranks. However, the club’s takeover situation has caused some restraints in the pursuit of these new additions. Erik ten Hag, the manager, has expressed his desire to bring in a new No.9, a central midfielder, and potentially a defensive addition in the next two months.
To generate the necessary funds for these acquisitions, Manchester United is looking to sell some players. However, offers for players such as Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial, and Harry Maguire have been limited so far. The club is determined to continue their upward trajectory after finishing in the top four and reaching two cup finals last season.
Manchester United is currently focused on finding a new No.9 who fits ten Hag’s plan. While the club has been linked with Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen, it seems that the desire and ability to acquire either of these top-quality strikers has diminished. However, Rasmus Hojlund remains a consistent name in United’s transfer rumors.
According to reports, Manchester United will submit their first official bid for Hojlund next week. The 20-year-old Danish striker is said to be eager to join the club. However, there is a significant gap between the two clubs when it comes to agreeing on a transfer fee. Atalanta, Hojlund’s current club, values him at £86m (€100m), while United is reluctant to spend more than £60m for the Danish talent.
In case the deal for Hojlund falls through, Manchester United has identified two other forwards as potential targets. The Mirror suggests that the club is interested in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani and Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus.
Another player on Manchester United’s radar is Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat. The Moroccan international attracted interest from top European clubs after his stellar performance at the World Cup in December last year. Manchester United is reportedly keen to negotiate a deal for him this summer. It is believed that the departure of Fred could provide the necessary funds for the transfer, which is estimated to cost around €30m. Personal terms with Amrabat are not expected to be an issue, as he has reportedly agreed upon a €4m-per-year contract until 2028 with the club.
The arrival of Andre Onana has raised doubts about Dean Henderson’s future at Manchester United. The goalkeeper, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, is rumored to be in advanced negotiations with the Championship club for a permanent transfer. Forest is also closing in on a deal for United winger Antony Elanga, further fueling speculation about Henderson’s potential move.
If Henderson leaves Old Trafford, Manchester United may seek a suitable backup option for Onana. Tom Heaton, a former Burnley goalkeeper currently at the club, is an available option. However, there is also reported interest in Altay Bayindir, a 25-year-old Turkish goalkeeper currently playing for Fenerbahce.
In other transfer news, Manchester United’s Ivorian center-back Eric Bailly looks set to leave the club. With one year left on his contract, the 27-year-old defender has been excluded from the club’s pre-season tour to the United States. It is reported that interest from two Saudi Arabian clubs could lead to a three-year deal worth approximately £20 million for Bailly.
Furthermore, Manchester United may also make additions to their academy with the potential signing of Jack and Tyler Fletcher. The twins, who currently play for Manchester City, could join their father, Darren Fletcher, at Old Trafford. Fletcher has been the Technical Director at Manchester United since 2021. The deal, reported to be over £1m, would set a UK record for a player under the age of 16.
As Manchester United continues their pursuit of new strikers and reinforcements in various positions, fans are eagerly anticipating further developments in the transfer window. With the club’s ambition to challenge at the very top, every signing will be closely watched to see how they can contribute to Manchester United’s future success.
