Two Champions League clubs are currently the frontrunners for the signature of a Ligue 1 striker that United have an interest in.
Ruben Amorim’s first summer transfer window in charge at Manchester United is now fully underway, with attacking options being the first priority. The club has already completed its first major signing with Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5 million.
Following the signing of Cunha, United have switched their focus to Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo. Both players are prolific Premier League proven forwards that have been identified as ideal solutions to United’s current attacking issues.
The deal for Mbeumo looks likely to be completed in the coming weeks for a fee of around £62.5 million, with United beating Tottenham and Newcastle to the Cameroon international’s signature.
Whilst United are pursuing the signing of Mbeumo, two Champions League sides have started to approach one of the club’s striker targets.
Juventus and Chelsea leading the race for Kolo Muani
L’Equipe have reported that whilst Manchester United are interested in potentially signing PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani, it is currently Juventus and Chelsea leading the race for a signature.
Kolo Muani joined Juventus in January on an extended loan that would cover the duration of the Club World Cup. The loan is set to end on July 15th. The striker has talked positively about his time in Turin and has previously shared that he would be open to staying.
Juventus would like to retain Kolo Muani, who has been described as “complete” by Kylian Mbappe. They will be looking to do so in terms of another loan that includes an option or obligation to buy at the end of it. The structure of the deal may not be preferable for PSG, and so they may opt for a permanent transfer to Chelsea if the London Club end up placing a formal bid.
Chelsea have already made acquisitions this summer in the striking department after beating Manchester United to the signing of Ipswich’s Liam Delap. Chelsea also currently have Nicolas Jackson on their books, so adding Kolo Muani into the mix may lead to a saturation in that position.
United may have to settle for Kolo Muani
If United signs Kolo Muani, it will likely be because they have exhausted their preferred options rather than a genuine belief he is the answer to United’s issues.
The France international has failed to live up to the success of his first full season at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he registered 26 Bundesliga goal involvements in 32 appearances. After a disappointing spell in Paris, Kolo Muani’s best form has come during his loan at Juventus, where he’s averaged a goal every other game.
So far this summer, United have prioritised players with Premier League experience, seeing them as less of a gamble. Kolo Muani doesn’t have this experience and has been inconsistent across Europe’s other top five leagues.
Where he may be a benefit, however, is that he will relieve some pressure from United’s current strikers and ensure the club isn’t always relying on them for goals.
Furthermore, with the additions of Cunha and potentially Mbeumo, United will be hoping to create more chances for strikers and hopefully make it easier for any new no.9 to settle at the club.
While Kolo Muani may not be the perfect striker signing for United, he is a player whose situation will not be resolved swiftly due to his current loan with Juventus. This will give United a chance to pursue preferred targets and potentially return to Kolo Muani if necessary.
Also, ifChelsea don’t pursue a deal for the Frenchman because they already have other options, then the offer of a permanent deal from United may be preferable to PSG than the offer of a loan move from Juventus.
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