The Hard Tackle has identified three promising targets that could strengthen Manchester United’s attack as they look to land a new striker on a priority basis.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have successfully completed the purchase of a minority share in Manchester United. With the deal now approved by the English FA, they have full control over the club’s sporting decisions.
They aim to bring the old glory days back to Old Trafford and are looking to make major appointments at the club. While they look to make key appointments before heading into the summer transfer window, the Red Devils have already started planning for it.
While their plan is to build a system that can identify the best top talents from across Europe and help nurture them, they are looking at the upcoming transfer window as an opportunity to offload players who are no longer a part of their plans and sign players who can improve them in the short as well as long run.
The Red Devils want to bring in a new number nine in the summer on a priority basis. Despite spending a fortune on signing Rasmus Hojlund last summer, they are still on the lookout for another striker.
Hojlund might not have began his career in the best possible way, but he has started to click and is a part of their long-term plans. However, the Red Devils do not want to put too much load on the Danish international. As a result, the new ownership is looking for another striker.
The Red Devils might have undergone a takeover, but they will still have a limited budget to work with in the summer. They have spent a fortune on new players over the past few windows. As a result, they will have to keep their spending in check in order to comply with the Financial Fair Play rules.
While Manchester United would love to sign the best striker in the World, they cannot spend big in the upcoming window. They will look to offload players and raise funds to ensure they can sign multiple players to help bolster their squad. As a result, here are three cost-effective strikers that the Red Devils could push for in a few months.
Youssef En-Nesyri
En-Nesyri’s future has been the talk of the town of late. The 26-year-old striker has been linked with multiple English clubs, with his contract expiring in the summer of 2025. He has become one of the mainstays of Sevilla since joining them in the winter of 2020. The Moroccan international is considered an important part of their first team, and they have started talks to extend his stay at the club.
But, nothing significant has happened yet, and there is a possibility of him parting ways at the end of the season. West Ham United, Wolves and Aston Villa are all keen on his signatures, but Manchester United could also end up making a move for him.
The Red Devils were linked with the 26-year-old before the start of the winter transfer window, and they could revive their interest in the summer as they search for a new striker. He has the physical and technical abilities needed to succeed in the Premier League. The Moroccan star can surely be an ideal partner for Hojlund who is still quite young and has a lot to learn.
En-Nesyri is currently valued at around €18 million, and if Sevilla do not end up extending his stay before the end of the season, Manchester United can surely look to push for his services.
The 26-year-old bagged 18 goals last season and he has already scored 11 this term. He has been a consistent performer for the Spanish outfit and could do wonders for the Red Devils if they manage to land him in time.
Serhou Guirassy
Guirassy has been on Manchester United’s radar for a while now. The 27-year-old striker has become the talk of the town because of his impressive performances for VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.
Since joining the German club last summer, he has featured in a total of 19 games and has contributed with 20 goals and two assists. His incredible display in front of goal has attracted attention from Arsenal, West Ham United as well as Tottenham Hotspur.
While there is interest from across Europe in his signatures, he prefers moving to England something that will help Manchester United in their pursuit. But, the Red Devils will have to battle it with their rivals to get their hands on the 27-year-old.
There is a €17 million release clause in the Stuttgart striker’s contract, which suggests he is unlikely to be a part of the German club beyond the summer. He has already proven himself in the German top flight, and his skillset suggests he could be a great addition to United’s ranks. But, signing him won’t be easy given the number of clubs that are after his signatures.
Both En-Nesyri and Guirassy are experienced campaigners. Their arrival will help the young forwards at the club. Signing someone who has already proved himself could be one way of going forward but United could also look at someone who is young and has huge potential. He could form a partnership with Hojlund and the duo together could help United return to their glory days.
Joshua Zirkzee
The 22-year-old former Bayern Munich graduate is a star in the making. He has gone from strength to strength since making the move to Bologna in the summer of 2022. In the ongoing season, Zirkzee has featured in a total of 28 matches and has contributed towards 16 goals.
He has found the back of the net on 10 occasions and has six assists to his name. His dominant displays in the final third has caught the attention of numerous clubs from across Europe and there could be a bidding war for him in the summer.
Manchester United are one of the clubs that have been monitoring him for a while now. They admire the 22-year-old and feel he could be a great addition to their ranks. He has all the tools to succeed at the top level and has already proven his worth in the Italian top flight.
Manchester United are keen on his signatures but they will have to battle it out with Barcelona, Chelsea, and Arsenal to get their hands on the Dutch youth international.
While there is a €40 million release clause in his deal, it is only valid for his former club Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Bologna are ready to negotiate his departure in the summer but they are looking for a fee of around €50 million.
Manchester United do not have the best of financial situations. But as per reports, they are ready to pay €50 million for the 22-year-old. They are willing to make that big an investment but can only do it if they manage to offload some of their highly-paid players who are no longer a part of their plans moving ahead.
Anthony Martial, Antony and Jadon Sancho are a few of their star forwards who could leave in the summer. Their departure will not only raise funds it will also make room for new arrivals.
