Osimhen, Kane or Kolo-Muani? Ten Hag ‘sold on’ Man Utd’s next No..9

Robin Bairner

• 3 Apr 2023 10:29 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has identified the Red Devils’ preferred option of centre forward next season, with The Athletic reporting that he is “sold on” a move for Tottenham’s Harry Kane.

Man Utd have been credited with having an interest in three potentially record-breaking strikers.

As well as Kane, who has been linked with the Old Trafford side for years, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani have emerged as serious contenders to arrive at the Old Trafford club.

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Each would cost well over €100 million and would represent a new club-record transfer should a deal be concluded.

Ten Hag’s pick of the trio, though, is Kane.

Although The Athletic believes a transfer is “plausible” due to the fact that Kane is approaching the final year of his Tottenham contract, Spurs will not give up the player readily.

“People close to United say Erik ten Hag is sold on Kane as his first choice for a new centre-forward, the absolute priority position this summer.”

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De Jong warning for Man Utd

Manchester United’s experience trying to sign Frenkie de Jong last summer will have an impact on how the club approaches their striker chase this season.

The Red Devils spent weeks in a tug-of-war trying to prise De Jong away from Barcelona, only to be left embarrassed when they were unsuccessful. They do not want to be drawn into a similarly lengthy saga this time around, particularly with Tottenham notoriously difficult to negotiate with.

“There are informed people in the industry who are adamant Levy will not sell Kane, no matter what offers arrive,” The Athletic report warns.

The appeal of Kane for Manchester United is easy to see. The Tottenham striker has netted more than 200 Premier League goals and is a three-time Golden Boot winner, though he will be 30 at the start of next season, raising questions over just how long the Red Devils might get out of him if they were to make a blockbuster transfer.