09 December 2023 , 20:30
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Manchester United are tracking RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda as they line up replacements for Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho next summer.
Belgian international Openda, 23, has scored 14 goals in 21 games for Leipzig since his £35 million move from lens last summer. And United scouts were at The Etihad Stadium to see Openda score twice against Manchester City in a 3-2 Champions League group stage defeat to Pep Guardiola ’s side last month.
Openda also scored against City in the home tie in Leipzig in October and his goal exploits in the Bundesliga have attracted attention from a host of top sides in Europe and the Premier League.
It’s believed Tottenham have also been watching Openda with Brazilian striker Richarlison struggling to deliver the goal output expected of him after his £60million transfer from Everton in 2022.
Leipzig know they have a real asset on their hands with Openda who has already wowed the Bundesliga with his speed, direct threat and goals and his value is thought to have already more than doubled to £75million.
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A senior United scout - who was checking on Leipzig’s French defender Castello Lukeba - reported back to boss Erik ten Hag on Openda’s dazzling display at The Etihad and it’s believed the club have made him a serious target.
Lois Openda celebrates after scoring RB Leipzig's opening goal against Manchester City (Getty Images)United have struggled for goals in the Premier League this season and only five teams have scored less goals than ten Hag’s men. Marcus Rashford has failed to produce the scoring form he showed last season while £72 million summer signing from Atalanta Rasmus Hojlund failed to hit the net in any of his first eleven league games.
While Openda is on United’s radar it’s unclear what budget Ten hag will be handed next summer with new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe committed to changing the club’s recruitment policy. But if the Belgian star keeps scoring - the United boss will be pressing for a pursuit of the highly-prized attacker.
Ten Hag has hinted it could be a quiet window due to Financial Fair Play constraints, but is pushing the club's hierarchy to improve the squad if possible. “As a club, you have to look for improvements, so if you can find better and it’s realistic financially and with financial fair play, I think the club has to go with it," he told United We Stand.
"But realistically, in relation to the market, most of the time you don’t attract the best players in the winter. The top, top players will not leave their clubs in the winter. It’s players who are disappointed, injured or just not the right fit or whatever.”