Manchester United could reportedly launch a January transfer pursuit to sign veteran Porto striker Mehdi Taremi as they desperately attempt to resolve their scoring issues.
According to Teamtalk, Manchester United could attempt to remedy their goal-scoring problems by launching a winter transfer market operation to bring in an experienced striker, with Porto’s Iranian goal machine Mehdi Taremi among the candidates under consideration.
Manchester United have had a very tough start to the season. A 3-0 elimination in the Carabao Cup at the hands of Newcastle United’s reserve side on Wednesday night followed a 3-0 defeat in the league against Manchester City, both at Old Trafford, to pile the pressure on Erik Ten Hag.
Part of the reason for the calamity is also the lack of a seasoned No. 9 who can support former Atalanta player Rasmus Hojlund, who was bought for around £72 million in the summer, but has not yet scored in the Premier League, though he scored three in the Champions League.
As a result of their dreadful form in front of goal, United are now looking to recruit a prolific marksman. As per the above report, four players so far are on their January shortlist, including AS Monaco’s Wissam Ben-Yedder, Porto star Mehdi Taremi, Flamengo’s Gabriel Barbosa, and Santos’ Marcos Leonardo.
Taremi, for one, is understood to be a long-standing target for Manchester United and could be available for a cut-price fee given his current deal at the Estadio do Dragao is expiring next summer.
The Iranian international has been at Porto since joining from Rio Ave for €4.7 million in August 2020. Since then, he has won two Portuguese Cups, one Portuguese League Cup, and one Portuguese League title.
The Iranian is 31 years old, so he’s certainly not a long-term solution in the position, but he would be a very good stop-gap signing. He finished with 31 goals and 14 assists in 51 games in all competitions, and that return wasn’t a one-off.
He produced 26 goals and 17 assists in 48 outings for Porto in 2021/22. And the 2020/21 season yielded 23 goals and 18 assists in 48 matches. Taremi has the ability to be a proficient goalscorer and goal-creator, and he is certainly a target man more prolific than someone like Anthony Martial.
Aside from his goal contributions, the seasoned veteran also excels with his final-third distribution, hold-up play, and ability to win duels, making him a suitable Hojlund backup.
