Manchester United thought they had landed themselves a real talent back in the summer of 2023, after they secured a move for Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund.
The 22-year-old cost a fee in the region of £72m two years ago, but fast-forward to the present day, he’s struggled to demonstrate why the hierarchy forked out such a fee for his signature.
He only posted a tally of four league goals last season, taking his total tally of goals for the Red Devils to 26 in his 95 appearances since his big-money move.
Hojlund-Man-Utd-Lyon
Hojlund even went 21 games without a goal across all competitions at one stage last season, with new boss Ruben Amorim desperately needing a new talisman during the summer.
Numerous players have been on the board’s radar this window, but no new centre forward has been signed yet, despite progress appearing to be being made on a deal for one star.
The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer
Ollie Watkins has been a player who’s been firmly in the club’s sights over the last couple of months, and, unsurprisingly so given his tally of 16 goals and eight assists in the Premier League last campaign.
However, any deal for the English international may prove to be an expensive one, with Aston Villa demanding a fee in the region of £60m for his signature this summer.
Ollie-Watkins-Maatsen
Moves have been made elsewhere for a new striker, with progress being made over a deal to land forward Moise Kean, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
They claim that the Red Devils have held talks with the side over a deal for the 25-year-old Italian international, who registered 25 goals across all competitions last campaign.
It also states that he has a €52m (£44m) release clause that remains active until the 15th of July, potentially facing competition from numerous sides in Saudi Arabia for his signature.
Why United’s £44m target could be a Hojlund & Osimhen hybrid
Victor Osimhen has been another player who’s been a constant target on United’s radar over the last couple of months, after he scored 37 times on loan at Galatasaray last campaign.
Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen celebrates scoring their first goal
The Napoli forward looks certain to leave the Italian outfit this summer, with Antonio Conte not seeing the Nigerian forward as part of his plans going forward.
Despite the Red Devils’ interest, other sides in the Middle East and Europe remain in the race for the 26-year-old’s signature, potentially being a saga that could drag on throughout the summer.
Given his goalscoring record, there’s no denying he would be a superb signing, but there are concerns over his wage demands, which could prove to be out of United’s budget.
However, Kean could prove to be a viable option, with the Italian labelled as a similar player to both Osimhen and Hojlund back in the 2022/23 season in Serie A by FBref.
Moise Kean for Fiorentina
When comparing their respective stats to the aforementioned duo, the former Everton star managed to outperform them both, having the chance to take his career to the next level in Manchester.
Kean, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Statman Dave, managed to post a higher goal per shot on target rate, handing Amorim’s side that clinical edge they’ve been searching for.
How Kean compared to Osimhen & Hojlund in Serie A (2022/23)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Goals per shot on target
Progressive carries
Take-ons completed
Carries into opposition box
Fouls won
Stats via FBref
He also completed more progressive carries per 90 and more carries into the opposition box per 90, having the ability to drive into the final third and create opportunities for other players alongside himself.
The Italian also completed more take-ons, whilst winning more fouls, having the all-round ability to cause problems for the opposition defenders on a consistent basis in the Premier League.
Given the time left on his release clause, the hierarchy will have to act quickly to secure a deal for his signature, potentially getting themselves a bargain transfer this window.
If they can complete a deal for the Italian, it would be one that would fill the needed position at the top end of the pitch, taking the club up a level in 2025/26 as a result.
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Manchester United could finally end their pursuit of a new talisman with a move for one European star.