Kane ahead of Osimhen: Ranking the contenders to replace Ronaldo at Man Utd
FT Desk
- 8 Mar 2022 10:15 GMT
- 5 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo is in the process of trying to broker a summer transfer from Manchester United to Paris Saint-Germain in the event that the Red Devils fail to finish in the top four of the Premier League.
The chances of Man Utd qualifying for the Champions League are looking increasingly slim and subsequently it is looking very probable that Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford will be cut short after just one season.
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In truth, Ronaldo leaving Man Utd is a scenario that will likely suit both parties. At the age of 37, Ronaldo wants to play his final years at a club in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Man Utd know that they need to rebuild their team around younger players.
So who will replace Ronaldo at Man Utd?
Below, we rank the possible contenders. This page will be updated between now and the summer.
6. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
There is little doubt right now that Robert Lewandowski is the best striker in world football, if not the best player outright.
He is well on his way to win another European Golden Shoe and his record at Bayern Munich during his eight years there is frankly ridiculous.
Lewandowski’s contract in Munich expires in 2023 and there have been problems over a renewal.
Man Utd could attempt to take advantage of this with a lucrative deal, offering Lewandowski a new challenge. In the end, though, it is expected that the Pole will stay and finish his top-level career at the Bundesliga champions.
5. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid in 2018 in order to complete a shock move to Juventus, there is no doubt who the main man in the Spanish capital has been.
Karim Benzema has carried the Blancos in the proceeding four years, scoring pushing on 150 goals in that time.
He is likely to see out his contract until 2023 with Real Madrid but that could change if the club signs Erling Haaland this summer.
Haaland would take Benzema’s place as Madrid’s main striker and the Frenchman would assess his options. At the age of 34, he would only be a short-term option at Old Trafford but he remains one of the best strikers in the world.
4. Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Erling Haaland will definitely leave Borussia Dortmund this summer when a €75 million release clause is activated in his contract.
Virtually every major team in Europe wants to sign Haaland, including Manchester United.
However, United are behind the three favourites to capture the Norwegian; Real Madrid, Man City and Barcelona.
Man Utd will still make an attempt to buy Haaland and if they qualify for the Champions League and put together a huge financial package maybe they will have a chance. Their poor relationship with Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola works against them, though.
3. Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad)
There have been a number of reports in recent months that Man United are prepared to pay Alexander Isak’s €75m release clause in order to bring him to Old Trafford.
Isak is regarded as one of the most promising young forwards in Europe and he scored 17 La Liga goals last season.
This term he has struggled a touch, scoring only four times in La Liga.
His talent is undeniable but signing the 22-year-old to be Man Utd’s main man would be a gamble.
2. Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
The most linked forward to Manchester United in 2022 has been Napoi star Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen has been a revelation at Napoli ever since joining the club from Lille two years ago and has been one of the major reasons behind their Scudetto challenge this season.
The Nigerian is both a modern and traditional number 9, with all the physical and technical qualities to shine at Old Trafford. He is arguably the best striker in Serie A along with new Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic.
The one sticking point will be doing business with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who will certainly demand at least €120 million for the attacker.
1. Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Harry Kane is the current favourite to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United. The Englishman has been heavily linked with the Red Devils for several years but has always shown his loyalty to Spurs.
Last summer he came very close to joining Man Utd’s rivals Man City, issuing a transfer request and even allegedly failing to turn up to training in an attempt to push a record-breaking move through. But the notoriously tough negotiator of a Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy stood firm.
This summer, Kane will again be the most wanted Premier League striker. If Mauricio Pochettino takes over as Man Utd manager, Kane will be his number one target – the pair having worked together at Tottenham.
However, Kane is also enjoying working with new Tottenham manager Antonio Conte and could decide to continue with the Italian. And then there is Levy also!
