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Quinton Fortune has urged Michael Carrick to strengthen Manchester United’s attack with another striker alongside Benjamin Šeško, and Metro reports that, with Nicolas Jackson Transfer News now circulating, he has identified the Chelsea forward. Fortune argues that United need enough firepower for league and Champions League demands without placing the burden on Šeško.
Nicolas Jackson Transfer News: Fortune calls for more firepower
The Slovenian finished his first Old Trafford campaign with 12 goals in 32 appearances, a joint club-high with Bryan Mbeumo, so Fortune’s concern has some basis. An injury would leave Carrick short of a centre-forward. Jackson has returned to Chelsea after a season-long Bayern Munich loan, with Bayern winning the Bundesliga. Chelsea reportedly want around £65m, while Aston Villa and Newcastle have shown interest.
Nicolas Jackson Transfer News: Why Fortune sees an answer
Fortune’s description of Jackson as an out-and-out goal poacher makes sense in one respect. The 25-year-old attacks space, presses willingly and likes to arrive in the box early. Bayern’s records show eight Bundesliga goals and three Champions League goals last season, with two Champions League assists. He contributed, then, even without becoming Bayern’s first-choice finisher.
Yet that profile doesn’t make him a clean match for Carrick’s United. Jackson’s touch and decision-making can become unreliable when opponents squeeze him, and the 50 possession losses cited in the supplied assessment reinforce the concern. His reported 83% passing completion isn’t poor, but it doesn’t erase the technical questions.
Nicolas Jackson Transfer News: £65m makes the call easier
The bigger issue is the fee. United have already committed £48m to Andrey Santos and £35m to Youri Tielemans, while Šeško cost £73m, so another £65m for a striker who may rotate behind the main forward would represent a large allocation.
There’s another complication. Aston Villa remain strongly interested, although UEFA rules have affected the timing of any deal after Villa sold Morgan Rogers to Chelsea. Chelsea have plenty of attacking options, too, with João Pedro, Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha adding competition.
Read: Talks Ongoing – Chelsea increase asking price for defender who wants to leave
Fortune’s instinct about squad depth is fair. His preferred solution isn’t. Nicolas Jackson Transfer News may keep surfacing, but United should seek a cheaper forward whose finishing and combination play better support Šeško rather than spend £65m on a stylistic compromise.