Revealed: Man Utd's top striker targets for the summer

Cameron Smith

• 12 Jan 2023 16:37 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United have reportedly identified their two major transfer targets for the summer window as they look to upgrade the forward options at the club.

The Red Devils are set to sign Wout Weghorst from Burnley after negotiating to end his loan move to Besiktas this January. The Dutch international will provide competition for Anthony Martial to be the club's number one striker, but Erik ten Hag isn't satisfied with just signing the former Wolfsburg star.

Weghorst has been turned to as an emergency replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese forward's contract at Old Trafford was mutually terminated following his controversial interview with Piers Morgan aired.

READ: How Man Utd will line up with Wout Weghorst

However, at 30 years old, Weghorst isn't a long-term solution, and it's believed Man Utd are ready to dip back into the market for another fresh addition in the striker department in the summer transfer window.

Who do Man Utd want to sign?

Cody Gakpo was thought to be Man Utd's preference, with Ten Hag a huge admirer of the Dutch international. However, Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool managed to convince the forward to leave PSV Eindhoven and move to Anfield this month.

As a result, Man Utd have turned to other options. According to Manchester Evening News, Ajax's Mohammed Kudus and Benfica's Goncalo Ramos are both being considered by the club.

READ: Weghorst will be an UPGRADE on Ronaldo at Man Utd

It's believed they are cheaper alternatives to Tottenham's Harry Kane and Napoli's Victor Osimhen, who have also been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Ten Hag has a history of signing his former Ajax pupils, adding both Lisandro Martinez and Antony during his first transfer window as Man Utd boss.

Kudus has featured mostly as a substitute for Ajax in the Eredivisie this season, but has still managed to rack up 10 goals in 21 games.

On the other hand, Ramos has been the main man for Benfica, scoring 15 and assisting a further seven in 25 appearances.