It starts with cristiano ronaldo and is likely to end with Wout Weghorst — At least for now. But sources have told ESPN that Manchester UnitedTheir real aim in trying to end the six-year search for the centre-back is to close the gap until the summer when their priority targets will include Victor Osimhen, Benjamin Sesko and, if he refuses to sign a new contract at Tottenham Hotspur, Harry Kane.
The contract is worth 75 million pounds Lukaku the words Everton 2017 was the only time since Robin van Persie arrived for £24m from weapon in 2012, United made a significant addition to the front line with a striker at his peak. Radamel Falcao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Odion Ighalo, Edinson Cavani and Ronaldo have both arrived at United in the past decade, but all have passed their peak and signed short-term contracts.
Lukaku was expected to be the solution six years ago, but Belgium The international fell short of expectations before being transferred to Inter two years later for around £75m, and United have had to replenish their attacking force ever since.
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Sources say United’s need to sign a proven goalscorer in the summer transfer window has been acknowledged within the club and is seen as a top target. However, United’s primary concern at the moment is responding to coach Erik the Hag’s call for an immediate reinforcement of the attacking division of his squad following a mutual agreement to terminate the team. Ronaldo’s contract in November. And that’s where Weghorst fits the bill.
Sources told ESPN that Netherlands The international, who has spent this season on loan at Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig from EFL Championship leaders Burnley, could become a United player this week if negotiations involve to both the club and United, as well as the player’s representatives, to expedite an agreement.
Besiktas doesn’t want to lose the 30-year-old, who has scored nine goals in 18 games for them, but Weghorst has made it clear he wants to seize the opportunity to play for United.
Ten Hag wanted an experienced centre-forward, a player who could make choices different from the ones he had at Old Trafford. Although the 6-foot-6 Weghorst managed to make an impact in the Premier League with Burnley last season, where he scored just 2 goals in 20 appearances, his performances at the World Cup against the Netherlands – he scored two late goals in the quarter-final against Argentina before his penalty shootout defeat – underscoring his ability to trouble his best defence.
But Weghorst is seen as a short-term solution and the hope at United is that, after so many signings lacking in attack, he will be the last temporary solution. However, United’s search for the right signing this month has been carried out within a number of strict hurdles.
Sources told ESPN that the majority of options available are “players who are out, injured strikers or players who aren’t good enough.” Another issue is that many players will only discuss a move if it involves a contract no shorter than 18 months, which would guarantee a deal at Old Trafford until June 2024, and sources Reports say United have ruled that out because they want a clear roster at the end of the season. That means there is no obligation to pay for a striker who is out of action for another 12 months.
Sources say United have not made a transfer bid to sign PSV Eindhoven‘S Cody gakpowho completed the conversion of £37 million to Liverpool last month, although Ten Hag marked the player as a viable signing. And while moving for AC Milan‘S Olivier Giroud has been considered, with the 36-year-old’s contract at San Siro set to expire in six months, sources added that the complexity of Italy’s tax system will mean France the international faces a significant tax bill if he leaves before the summer, which rules out the possibility of a short-term deal at Old Trafford.
So Weghorst worked for United according to the criteria set by the club. If United can negotiate a short loan spell at Besiktas, they will have a proven striker who will return to Burnley at the end of this season.
At that stage, United hope to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Ten Hag have made it clear that a new striker is needed to help secure a place in the top four and such an achievement will increase their chances of signing their preferred attacking option.
Naples Osimhen forwards are high on that list. 24 years old Nigeria The international has scored 11 goals in 16 games for Napoli this season and is considered a good fit for United in terms of age and ability, although sources have said that Paris Saint-Germain potentially also interested in signing him.
Sesko, 19 years old FC Salzburg forward, is another option, albeit at the younger end of the scale. United considered a move for the Slovenia international last summer before RB Leipzig – Salzburg’s sister club in the Red Bull group – have agreed a £20m deal to sign him at the end of the season. Despite that deal, sources say Sesko could still be available if a club is willing to make a higher offer to buy Leipzig out of the deal.
And then there’s Kane, England captain, who will enter the final 12 months of his contract with Tottenham this summer. The 29-year-old striker almost left Spurs in 2021 before City of Manchester give up their attempt to sign him. But with the prospect of Kane leaving as a free agent in 2024, both the player and the club face a decisive summer, and sources say United know they could be the option. most attractive option for Kane if he decides to look for a move at the end of the season. of the season. With Man City signing Haaland for £51m last summer and Liverpool adding Darwin Nunez and Gakpo in recent months, United are best positioned in the Premier League to sign Kane, who is currently just 62 goals behind Alan Shearer in the league’s all-time scoring charts.
Whoever United are targeting in the summer, they need to be in the Champions League to have any realistic hope of signing them. And that is why they are moving to sign Weghorst. He is a means to an end, but right now, he is the best available option.
