Man Utd's 5-striker transfer wishlist after Kane U-turn and Watkins interest
Manchester United's striker search continues to take fresh turns by the day, but the one thing we do know is they're in need of a new frontman.
Anthony Martial's fitness has been a concern for some time, while Wout Weghorst didn't do enough on loan to suggest he can cure Erik ten Hag's issues up front. For some time it had looked as though Harry Kane might be the solution, but United have u-turned on their pursuit of the England captain.
Recent reports have suggested Paris Saint-Germain may be willing to sell Kylian Mbappe to United, though other options appear more likely. Here, Mirror Football takes a closer look at a five-man wishlist for Erik ten Hag which has recently gained a different new name.
Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa frontman Watkins fits the bill of a 'no risk' striker as Ten Hag looks for reinforcements. The former Brentford man scored 15 Premier League goals last term, and The Athletic names him as a potential option.
Watkins has a total of 40 in three seasons for Villa, having played under three different permanent managers and often drifted wide as well as operating as a central striker. There is no indication that Unai Emery's side want to let him leave, while Watkins himself is an Arsenal fan - not that this would necessarily get in the way of an Old Trafford move.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Which striker would be the best fit for United? Have your say in the comments section
Ollie Watkins would come with significant Premier League experience (Getty Images)
"I'm an Arsenal fan, so Thierry Henry was my [favourite player]," Watkins told Sports Gazette during his Brentford days. "He's unbelievable to watch. He was the idol growing up really."
Victor Osimhen
Osimhen has the benefit of being younger than Watkins and having already played Champions League football. Naturally, though, this means he would set United back more than some other options.
The Nigeria international wasn't exactly a cheap pick-up when he joined Napoli from Lille in 2020. A return of 50 league goals in three seasons includes a Serie A-leading 26 this term, helping deliver the Partenopei's first Scudetto in more than 30 years.
Victor Osimhen top-scored in Serie A last term (Getty Images)"I will not sell Victor Osimhen this summer - no way!" Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis told Rai Sport in May. Even before then, a reported price tag of £131m would have required serious questions, though United may yet test Napoli's resolve.
Randal Kolo Muani
Another man who would fetch a hefty fee is France striker Kolo Muani. The Eintracht Frankfurt star announced himself at the World Cup, scoring his first senior international goal in the semi-final win over Morocco, and scored 23 club goals in all competitions this term.
Randal Kolo Muani impressed at the World Cup (AFP via Getty Images)"Honestly, I want to keep improving and working hard," Kolo Muani said during the current international break. "It's my dream to play for the big clubs – why not, but right now it's off-topic, I'm with the national team.
"We have two important matches [against Gibraltar and Greece]. The transfer window has just started, we'll see all of that when the international break is over."
Rasmus Hojlund
Atalanta starlet Hojlund has been valued at around £86m by the Italian club, though there have been suggestions that price may drop. The Danish international burst onto the scene this season, and is one of the leading scorers in Euro 2024 qualification.
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
Atalanta starlet Rasmus Hojlund plays with Christian Eriksen for Denmark (AP)He also has a fan in the form of Christian Eriksen, who was asked about the 20-year-old while on international duty. "I can see him [Hojlund] at Manchester United, but I haven't recommended him to Erik ten Hag," the midfielder told Ekstra Bladet.
"He is a fantastic guy and a good player and has really developed brilliantly at Atalanta. What the club ends up doing, I will not be able to answer."
Goncalo Ramos
Goncalo Ramos could leave Benfica this summer (AP)United began last season with a Portugal international up front, and the same could happen in 2023. Goncalo Ramos took Cristiano Ronaldo's starting spot at the World Cup, and he could now do the same at club level after the veteran left Old Trafford in November.
Agent Jorge Mendes has been given a mandate to sell Ramos, who helped Benfica win the Primeira Liga last term. The 21-year-old scored 19 in the league and 27 in all competitions, as well as a World Cup hat-trick against Switzerland.
Benfica are understood to want at least £80m for the hotshot, who is under contract until 2026. The sum would make any deal comparable to the sale of Darwin Nunez, who joined Liverpool this time last year.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
