Manchester United were offered the chance to sign an “exciting” striker three days ago as an alternative to Benjamin Šeško.
Manchester United have made the addition of a new centre-forward their top priority as Rúben Amorim continues to reshape his squad ahead of the upcoming season.
Bruno Fernandes led the team in goals last season with 19, while only three other players reached double figures across all competitions.
To address their attacking concerns, United have already spent £127.5 million to bring in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who scored 15 and 20 Premier League goals respectively in the previous campaign.
Both players are now with the squad in the United States for pre-season. With the wide areas now strengthened, Amorim has turned his focus to the striker role, with Benjamin Šeško understood to be the club’s leading target.
United reject Vlahovic transfer offer
Earlier this summer, it was revealed that Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has been offered to United amid their desire for a new striker.
The Serbian international was once touted as one of the most “exciting” young strikers in Italy, but United passed on the offer. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that the club were offered the 25-year-old again three days ago, but once again declined.
“Manchester United, in the last three days, Saturday, Sunday, Monday morning, have been offered the possibility to sign Dusan Vlahovic again,” Romano explained on his YouTube channel.
“Vlahovic is out of Juventus project, Vlahovic is a player who can leave Juventus for a good proposal, and he’s been offered to Manchester United again. Something like, okay, if you can’t get a deal done for Šeško, Vlahovic is an opportunity, he’s raised on the table.
“But Manchester United’s reply during the all three days was, We are focused on Šeško. We want to go for Šeško. We are still in for Šeško. So United are waiting for that story as a priority.
“Then, if Šeško will decide to go to Newcastle… I told you several times, in that case, maybe United will consider different options for the new striker. But at the moment, [no] was the answer to Vlahovic.”
United could pivot to midfield signing if they miss Šeško
If United miss out on Šeško, who could command a fee of up to £75 million this summer, there’s a strong case to be made for targeting a player of higher overall quality instead.
Should Šeško’s move collapse and he ends up at Newcastle, the £70 million-plus United had earmarked for the deal ought to be redirected towards strengthening their midfield.
United struggled for goals last season, but the arrivals of Cunha and Mbeumo have gone a long way toward fixing that issue. Failing to sign a striker now wouldn’t be nearly as damaging as it would have been without that new wing duo at Old Trafford.
With Amorim eager to add a dynamic defensive midfielder, United legend Rio Ferdinand has named 21-year-old Brighton talent Carlos Baleba as the ideal candidate.
“If I don’t get a striker, I’d go midfield,” the 46-year-old said. “There’s only one name I’m thinking about, I’ve got to be honest, who I think fits the bill for what we need.”
“An Amorim-type player as well. Physically great, can drive with the ball, can take it in all areas, very good tactically, great energy, great legs, Premier League experience, centre midfield. Baleba. That’s who I go and get. That’s my man. That’s the one I go and get. I go and break the bank.”
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.