Manchester United are reportedly showing more interest than any other Premier League side for a “ruthless” striker as Rúben Amorim looks for goals.
Manchester United are set to rebuild their attacking line this summer after a disappointing 2024/25 campaign that ended with a 15th-place finish in the Premier League, with a lack of goals a key factor in their struggles.
Bruno Fernandes finished as United’s top scorer with 19 goals, while Alejandro Garnacho and Amad both contributed 11. Rasmus Højlund added 10, but no other player reached double figures across all competitions.
The club have already secured the £62.5 million signing of Matheus Cunha and are in advanced talks with Brentford over a move for Bryan Mbeumo. Discussions are ongoing as both clubs work to agree final terms for the Cameroon international.
United are also pursuing a new central striker. While Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres was a top target, the Swedish forward has reportedly agreed personal terms on a five-year contract with Arsenal, with a club-to-club agreement expected to follow.
With Gyökeres seemingly off the table, United are now assessing alternative options to strengthen their front line.
United showing the most interest in Kean
With United on the hunt for other striker targets, the club have been long-linked with “ruthless” Fiorentina striker Moise Kean.
According to The Athletic, United have shown more interest in the 25-year-old, who scored 19 Serie A goals last term, than any other Premier League club, seemingly putting them first in the race to sign the striker.
However, Kean is well known to have a release clause of around £44.8 million that can only be activated between 1 and 15 July, meaning that unless United feel they can secure Kean for a lower price later in the window, they must act before the end of next week.
With the club still entirely focused on negotiations with Brentford surrounding Mbeumo, the chances of the club turning round to activate Kean’s release clause seem slim.
United have two sets of striker targets this summer
Further in The Athletic’s latest transfer briefing, it is mentioned that United have already been offered numerous free-agent strikers, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jamie Vardy, and Callum Wilson all named.
However, it is clarified that United would likely only move for one of these if they fail to land their list of priority targets in the position this summer.
Talks have been held between United and Eintracht Frankfurt for Hugo Ekitike, who is rated at around £85 million, while Amorim’s side have also expressed an interest in Aston Villa front man Ollie Watkins.
With Amorim desiring leadership skills and Premier League experience in his signings this summer, the 29-year-old Watkins may be his best remaining option. However, Villa’s asking price of around £60 million will have to be negotiated down for a deal to be struck.
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