After impressing this season, Manchester United are reportedly in advanced negotiations for a Ligue 1 striker, as they look to bolster their options next season.
Manchester United bolstered Rúben Amorim’s squad over the summer with a series of significant first-team signings.
Entering the transfer window, the club had a clear priority: addressing their struggles in front of goal. After managing just 44 Premier League goals last season, United invested £214 million in a major revamp of their attacking department.
Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha arrived to spearhead a revamped frontline, while Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jadon Sancho all exited Old Trafford.
After their 1-0 win over Newcastle, United find themselves second for goals scored in the Premier League, having netted 32 times so far this season.
One of the few forwards to stay at the club over the summer was Joshua Zirkzee, who impressed towards the end of last season before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the 2024/25 campaign, as well as missing out on any pre-season action.
The Netherlands international has only managed 394 minutes this season, now playing second fiddle to Šeško.
Man Utd in talks with Lassine Sinayoko
According to Africafoot, United have made serious enquiries over the potential signing of Lassine Sinayoko, with it being reported that there are serious negotiations ongoing.
Sinayoko, who plays for Ligue 1 side Auxerre, has scored six and assisted two in 16 league games, with attention surrounding the Mali international increasing after scoring three in his last two club matches.
According to the outlet, discussions are progressing well, and Manchester United hope to agree to a deal in the winter transfer window, which will see the 26-year-old join The Reds for free in the summer with his contract expiring in June next year.
While there is no mention of the length of the contract, personal terms continue to be negotiated, with United reportedly finalising a £2.6 million yearly salary agreement for the 26-year-old forward.
Man Utd need a better experienced striker option
Manchester United are set to go all-in for midfield reinforcement over the next two transfer windows to address the lack of depth in that position, with the futures of most of their current midfielders seemingly in doubt.
While the midfield certainly needs addressing, if Šeško were to unfortunately get injured, as has already been the case this season, United will be left extremely short in the striker department should Zirkzee depart the club in January or the summer, as is currently rumoured to happen.
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While Sinayoko could be a decent backup option for The Reds next season, as Chido Obi continues to develop in the development squad, United may still be left lacking if the Mali international has to lead the line for an extended period of time.
Last season, the Mali international scored five goals across 34 Ligue 1 games, having previously scored 11 goals across 67 Ligue 2 games over three seasons, so it remains to be seen whether Sinayoko has what it takes to be a solid backup option for Šeško.
United risks repeating the same mistake they made last season, where, instead of signing a well-established striker with experience to alleviate some of the immense pressure that was on Rasmus Højlund to lead the line at Old Trafford, they opted to sign Zirkzee instead.
Instead of the pair playing second fiddle to a more experienced striker they could learn from and slowly acclimatise to the league, they were thrown in at the deep end.
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