One of Manchester United’s reported transfer targets has broken his silence on his future and an Old Trafford move now look increasingly unlikely.
Manchester United approached the summer transfer window with a clear focus on strengthening their attack, making Matheus Cunha their first signing.
The 26-year-old striker, who scored 15 Premier League goals last season, is anticipated to be a key figure at Old Trafford in the season ahead.
United also secured highly rated teenager Diego Leon, while their pursuit of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo has faced difficulties, with two offers already rejected. Nonetheless, the club remains hopeful of reaching an agreement.
Afterwards, it is believed that United are looking for a striker although some of their preferred options have become very difficult to sign, which has also led to some controversial links to experienced backup strikers.
Callum Wilson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jamie Vardy have all been offered to United, who are considering them but would likely only make a move towards the end of the transfer window.
United target Wilson breaks silence on future
While those aforementioned names are not extravagant, they would all bring Premier League experience and the ability to be a decent option off the bench.
But for Wilson, who recently departed Newcastle at the end of his contract, he has different plans. The striker, who has scored 141 goals in his career, still wants to be playing consistent football and starting games, which could mean a move to United is off the cards.
“When you’re coming on for five, 10 minutes here and there within a game everyone thinks that you can’t play longer than that,” Wilson told The i Paper. “Everyone thinks ‘he’s losing a yard of pace’, all these other things, but obviously coming on as a substitute is completely different to starting a game.
“When you come on as a sub it’s so hard to catch a second wind and before you know it the game is over. That was the only thing for me. I still feel I can offer so much. I had conversations with the manager [Eddie Howe] and we established that I’m not at a point mentally where I’m ready to sit on the bench and play No 2 for the whole season.
“Staying at Newcastle with the Champions League and off the back of winning a trophy, signing all these players, it all sounds great and looks great, but for me as a player, when you’re not being able to contribute like you feel you could contribute, it doesn’t feel the same.
“If I was at a point where I was content with what I’ve done in my career and want to see the last few years fizzle out, sitting around and helping younger players then not a problem. But I still feel I can do that as well as play on the pitch.”
Amorim needs new no.9 at United
Amorim’s desire for a new no.9 is extremely clear but it is a position where there are not many guaranteed successes, and United were right to focus on deals for Cunha and Mbeumo first.
Those two players – assuming a deal for Mbeumo gets over the line – will make the job of the striker at Old Trafford much less difficult and some fans even believe Joshua Zirkzee could fit well there.
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A new striker is still needed, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it is a less extravagant name who comes in even if some fans will be underwhelmed.
But if that is the case, they will not be getting guaranteed game-time, and that seems like something Wilson is searching for in his next move.
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