Manchester United could well turn their attention to signing a striker in the final month of the summer transfer window
Danny Welbeck during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion at Selhurst Park.
Danny Welbeck has been linked with a transfer this summer. (Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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Manchester United could turn their attention to reinforcing their striking options in the transfer window between now and the deadline. For United, the concentration has been on midfield additions.
Michael Carrick has been keen to revamp his options in the centre of the pitch for this season. Transfers for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have been completed, but the club are keen to add a third midfielder before the end of the summer.
While that may be a priority, United could still strengthen other areas of their squad. The Athletic reports that Carrick is keen to add another striker to share the workload with Benjamin Sesko.
It comes as Joshua Zirkzee continues to be heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford. If he does leave, then United are likely to want another forward option.
There are a few ways that they could go in search of a new striker. Here are five who could possibly be on the radar.
Victor Osimhen
The Nigerian is a player who has consistently been linked with United over the last few transfer windows. Reports earlier this summer suggested that the club had made Osimhen a ‘priority target’.
The 27-year-old currently plays for Turkish side Galatasaray and has impressed in Turkey since making the move, initially on loan, two years ago. Last summer saw Galatasaray pay a £64.8million fee to make the move permanent.
Last season, Osimhen scored 22 goals and provided eight assists in 33 appearances in all competitions. While he will be expensive, United would be getting a proven goalscorer in his prime if they make a move.
Danny Welbeck
There has been a lot of talk over the future of the former United striker over the last 24 hours. Chelsea are said to be closing in on a move for the 35-year-old who is currently at Brighton.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has urged the club to hijack the transfer and bring Welbeck back to Old Trafford. After coming up through the academy, the striker left United in 2014, and has since played for Arsenal and Watford before joining Brighton in 2020.
Last season, he scored 14 goals and provided two assists in 40 appearances in all competitions. The Athletic reports that United have previously held conversations about re-signing the striker.
Dusan Vlahovic
The Serbian is another player who has previously been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and United could have the perfect chance to bring Vlahovic to the club this summer. After four-and-a-half seasons with Juventus, he is now available on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract.
Although he has a name that feels like has been around for years, Vlahovic is still only 26 years old. Last season was disrupted by injury, but he still managed 10 goals and two assists in 23 appearances.
Having spent the majority of his career in Italy, the striker could be open to trying a new league. But he is reportedly holding out for Barcelona to make a move.
Dusan Vlahovic celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Coppa Italia match between Juventus FC and Cagliari Calcio.
Dusan Vlahovic is available on a free transfer (Image: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
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Ollie Watkins
If United want a striker proven in the Premier League, then they would turn to Ollie Watkins. The 30-year-old has scored 91 goals and provided 39 assists in 221 appearances in the league.
His performances for Aston Villa last season were enough to see him included in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup. United have been linked with an interest this summer.
Having signed Youri Tielemans from Villa this summer, United could benefit from the relationship between the two. But, having brought in big money for Morgan Rogers, Villa are not likely to let Watkins go without demanding a big fee.
Jamie Vardy
If United do want to go down the route of proven Premier League goals, but without having to shell out a big transfer fee, then Jamie Vardy might be a name to consider. The Leicester City legend is available on a free transfer after leaving Italian side Cremonese this summer.
It’s been hinted that the 39-year-old is searching for a club in England to continue his career. In 342 Premier League appearances, Vardy has scored 145 goals and provided 50 assists.
Last season saw him score seven goals and provide three assists in 29 Serie A games.