Manchester United's search for a striker continuesplaceholder image
Manchester United's search for a striker continues | Getty Images
Man Utd want to add a striker to their squad this month but have turned one option down.
Manchester United turned down the opportunity to sign Jhon Duran on loan from Al Nassr before he reached an agreement to move to Fenerbahce. United want to sign a striker this month and were offered a chance to sign the 21-year-old on a loan deal that would have seen them cover all of his wages.
Duran shone at former club Aston Villa before he sealed a £64 million move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in the January transfer window. It is understood Duran wanted to leave Saudi Arabia after a recent bust-up, having already fulfilled his dream of playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
He has scored 12 goals in 18 games for Al-Nassr but was reportedly only available for a loan move this summer as he needs to stay contracted to the Saudi club for two years to receive his tax-free wages. It complicated any return to the Premier League, with United one of the teams that turned him down.
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Fabrizio Romano issues striker update
In a recent YouTube video, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano issued an update on Manchester United's search for a striker and started with an answer about Hugo Ekitike before he moved onto Jhon Duran.
"Manchester United are not going to pay €100m for a striker," he said in the video. "So unless Eintracht drop the price, this story for Man United is almost impossible. United are looking at different pricing, also because they are confident to sign Bryan Mbeumo and they will not invest crazy money on a striker. It has to be a good deal, a good opportunity.
"It is true, that Manchester United made an enquiry for Ollie Watkins. They made a call in the last two or three days to understand the situation of Ollie Watkins. He is one of the names under consideration. So let's see if they will invest on a younger striker or experienced option like Watkins. The interest is confirmed, whether they chose to advance or not we will see.
"Manchester United were also offered the opportunity to sign Jhon Duran from Al Nassr on an initial loan-deal, covering his salary but Man Utd decided to turn down the possibility to focus on different targets. It is important to mention they are still advancing on a deal for Bryan Mbeumo, so conversations continue."
Shortly after the upload, Romano also took to social media to confirm a 'here we go' agreement had been reached for Duran to join Jose Mourinho in Turkey. "Jhon Durán to Fenerbahçe, here we go! Agreement in place between all parties involved," he posted. "Al Nassr let Durán leave on initial loan with full salary covered until June 2026. Durán has accepted Fener proposal after director Devin Özek travelled to Colombia."
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