- 7 hours ago
Man Utd's SEVEN striker transfer options
Manchester United are in the market for a striker, but who would be the best option for the Red Devils and Erik ten Hag?
Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, Randal Kolo Muani - the list of strikers linked to Manchester United in recent months is exceptionally long.
Realistically, however, they may only be able to bring in one of their preferred options, so let's take a look at who they should target.
Evan Ferguson
A player that has emerged as an icon in the making this season is Evan Ferguson. The Brighton starlet has been in good form for his club and he even scored on his national team starting debut against Latvia.
With seven goals in 16 first-team matches across all competitions, the 18-year-old's Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has skyrocketed of late, currently peaking at €9.5 million.
There are suggestions that Ferguson would rather stay with the Seagulls to continue his promising development, making a move to Old Trafford perhaps unrealistic at the moment.
READ: Man Utd want Brighton ‘freak’ Evan Ferguson
Harry Kane
Harry Kane is again being touted for a summer move to the Northwest. The record goalscorer of Tottenham and now England as well, the 29-year-old has found the back of the net 23 times in 39 outings in all competitions thus far this term.
Kane would be an outstanding servant to Manchester United, but his inflationary price, given that he is English, and the fact that he would move to a direct rival means that he would command an almighty fee, believed to be in the region of €100m with Spurs ready to dig their heels in.
Should United pay that much for a 29-year-old?
Marcus Thuram
The most attainable of any potential targets, Marcus Thuram is out of contract in the summer and could be had for free.
Outstanding before the 2022 World Cup, links to Man Utd have died down of late due to his dip in form, but that should not deter the Red Devils.
Whether Thuram is good enough to lead United's line consistently is up for debate, but the versatile forward could deputise on the wings too. United should bring Thuram in on a Bosman even if other targets have priority.
READ: Out of contract in 2023: The best free agents available on a Bosman
Randal Kolo Muani
Staying in the Bundesliga for now, Randal Kolo Muani has been linked extensively with the Red Devils due to his 16 goals and 14 assists in 35 games this season.
United were at one point said to be preparing a €120m offer for the Eintracht Frankfurt man, though there would be similar worries as with Thuram about the player's line-leading capabilities in the Premier League.
Indeed, given Kolo Muani's style of play - built on pace and dribbling - he would perhaps be better suited to a place on the flanks in England's top flight despite his eye for goals. He would nonetheless be a good option, though a pricey one at that.
Goncalo Ramos
Said to be unhappy at Benfica after the club reneged on a promised pay rise, Ramos has a release clause believed to be around €120m.
He wouldn't be a bargain, that's for sure, but 24 goals in 36 matches, in addition to his World Cup performances, paint a clear picture of what kind of player United would be getting - a very good one. The 21-year-old is an option the Red Devils should certainly be in for.
Victor Osimhen
One of Europe's hottest commodities, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen would command upwards of €130m, making him the most expensive of any potential striking options.
The Nigerian, who has hit an incredible 25 goals in 29 games across all competitions this season, would be United's answer to Erling Haaland, though he would be extremely pricey, and the Manchester United club will have to battle it out with Chelsea over his signature.
Rasmus Hojlund
Instead of finding an answer to Erling Haaland, why not just sign the next Haaland? 20-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund has burst onto the scene with 14 goals in 33 outings this term and earned himself a fitting, though perhaps exaggerated, nickname.
Atalanta's winter signing also recently scored five times in just two matches for the Danish national team. What's more, the youngster has revealed that he is "a huge Manchester United fan."
READ: Man Utd, Real Madrid or Arsenal? Hojlund reveals dream transfer
Currently peaking at an ETV of €19.5m, the Dane would command more than that, but United might not have to pay north of €100m to get him, making him a perfect option for the summer.