Manchester United transfer news as United's search for a new centre-forward is yet to reach a resolution
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been linked with Manchester United
Manchester United's pursuit of a new striker this summer has hit a wall nobody wanted it to reach. After a woeful 2024/25 season in front of goal, Ruben Amorim was desperate to bring in a new number nine.
United scored just 44 Premier League goals last term with 35 in the Europa League. Bruno Fernandes was the Reds' top-scorer with 19 across all competitions while Rasmus Hojlund managed just 10 in 54 games.
Matheus Cunha, who scored 15 in the Premier League last term for Wolves, has already signed for United and the drive to sign Bryan Mbeumo has been active since the start of June.
United and Mbeumo are both keen on concluding the deal. A recent bid worth in excess of £60m was rejected by Brentford and the two clubs are in talks over a move.
However, the running theory throughout the transfer window has been that United are also working on their bid to sign a new striker. Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitike have all been linked with moves to Old Trafford but there has been no movement.
A new centre-forward to play in front of Cunha and Mbeumo is the dream for Amorim. However, United know they can't overpay for Mbeumo and know their hands are tied in moving for a striker due to their insistence to comply with the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability rules (PSR).
Worryingly for United, cheaper alternatives to their priority targets at centre-forward have already started to be linked. Ivan Toney, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic have all been mentioned as options for them to explore.
Now, The Sun are reporting that United are ready to make a move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who will cost the club nothing in regards to transfer fee. After leaving Everton at the end of his contract, the 28-year-old is a free agent.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored 71 goals for Everton
The report states that the club have reached out to the England international about the possibility of a move for Calvert-Lewin. Four years ago, the striker was in high demand after scoring consistently before injuries hindered him.
Fortunately, the story also adds that United believe Calvert-Lewin fits the bill to be third or fourth choice. That would mean that the Reds would still intend to sign a first-choice prolific striker, placing further doubt over Rasmus Hojlund's future.
United are faced with selling certain players to raise funds. MEN Sport reported that Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia have told United that they wish to explore opportunities elsewhere.
Each one of these five players will all have aims of reaching next summer's World Cup and securing a move sooner rather than later will be a priority. Combining the reported price tags across the five, United could be on course to receive around £128m.
Calvert-Lewin may be a stock gap as a temporary alternative to Amorim's dream scenario. However, the ex-Everton ace can't be United's number one striker when they take on Arsenal in the first game of the season.
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