EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd now consider signing Mauro Icardi to help lack of goals

Steve Kay

• Updated: 19 Dec 2023 13:12 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Manchester United are weighing up a potential loan deal for Mauro Icardi during the upcoming January transfer window, FootballTransfers can reveal.

The Argentine hitman has experienced a revival in form since joining Galatasaray last summer, with an impressive record of 17 goals in 25 games for the Turkish club.

It’s understood that Icardi is now seeking new challenges, prompting the Red Devil's interest in securing his services for the remainder of the season, in a bid to secure a place in Europe. It's believed that the loan would have a clause attached.

Icardi and Wilfried Zaha got on the scoresheet for Galatasaray as they earned three points over 10-man Man Utd at Old Trafford last month in the Champions League group stage, with the former Inter player impressing Red Devils staff.

Erik ten Hag is urgently pursuing a new forward, we are told. Despite the hefty £64 million signing of Ramus Hojlund from Atalanta in the summer, the Danish forward has yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League, while their other attacking options have not been up to scratch.

In fact, the combined goals of Marcus Rashford, Antony Martial, Alexandra Garnacho, and Brazilian international Antony stand at a mere three. With this lack of proficiency in front of goal, Man Utd are looking to ensure that a player is brought in who can be a sure-fire of goals.

Notably, Icardi had expressed interest in joining Old Trafford back in 2022 and it’s believed that he would be open to a switch to the Premier League.

Meanwhile, sources inform us that Man Utd's winter window will be relatively constrained, with abiding by Financial Fair Regulations very much in mind.

When does Mauro Icardi’s contract end?

Icardi has enjoyed a resurgence of his career in Turkey following some torrid tenures in France and Italy of late. He joined Galatasaray on an initial loan last year before he signed a three-year contract with the club in the summer from Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee of €10m.

FootballTransfers’ Estimated Transfer Value algorithm ranks Icardi at €13.1m while his contract in Turkey is up in 2026.