Laurie Whitwell has provided Manchester United fans with transfer updates on three striker targets as Rúben Amorim looks to sign fresh goals this summer.
This season, Manchester United have struggled significantly with scoring goals, indicating a pressing need for reinforcements in their forward positions come summer.
Frustratingly, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have ultimately failed to cement any sort of prolificacy in front of goal, which has led United to pursue a proven goal scorer. Part of the reason United are in a slump in 13th place this season is the final third play.
If you look at the statistics, Højlund has registered 21 shots this season in the Premier League. If you compare that to a centre back, Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace has 25, and Nikola Milenkovic of Nottingham Forest, also a centre back, has had 26. Joshua Zirkzee has 27 shots.
Recently, Sir Jim Ratcliffe shared that United would have been on the brink of bankruptcy by Christmas without his involvement. This highlighted the club’s vulnerable financial situation and the possibility that they may have to sell players to fund new acquisitions in the next transfer window.
Further, Laurie Whitwell, United correspondent for The Athletic, has highlighted the goal-scoring issue and hinted at what United’s priority should be in the summer window.
“I think centre forward is the key position, not necessarily because I don’t want to see Rasmus Hojlund develop and flourish, but the current strikers don’t have the goalscoring history that we need united to spring forward into the places where they are ultimately trying to be,” he told The Overlap Breakdown.
Whitwell singled out three names that have been involved with speculation regarding a potential move to Manchester this summer.
Liam Delap
Reports have stated that United have landed on Ipswich Town striker Liam Depa as their No. 1 transfer target this summer, considering his price tag and modest wage demands compared to other strikers.
On Delap, Whitwell said: “Delap is someone who is a genuine link. [Jason] Wilcox had him when Manchester City signed him from Derby County as a young player, so that is something that they could explore, and that’s something that could make sense financially because I believe Delap has a relegation release clause.
“Something like £40 million, that sounds like a palpable amount for a 22-year-old who’s now got 12 Premier League goals in his first season,” he added.
Viktor Gyökeres
Another striker United have been heavily linked to is Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres, who scored an unbelievable number of goals under Amorim prior to the head coach’s move to United in November 2024.
About Gyökeres, Whitwell said: “Do they want to try and go for someone who’s actually a bit more experienced and has that goalscoring record, I’m told Victor Gyokeres is unlikely, obviously Arsenal have been liked with him.
“I wonder if he’s setting his sights on a team that’s definitely in the Champions League and can compete for titles all be it, he’s got that relationship with Amorim.”
Victor Osimhen
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, has a £63 million release clause in his contract and is expected to be transferred this summer. Many top sides are said to be chasing his signature.
On the Nigerian international, Whitwell said: “Osihmen, I find a really fascinating one just because he’s done it in Italy repeatedly with Napoli. He’s doing it in Turkey at Galatasaray. He’s got that sharpness of touch and the ability to make things happen. The issue obviously would be big wages and transfer fee for a 26-year-old in their prime.
“The Osihmen deal would make the most sense if Napoli want to do a swap deal with Garnacho.”
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