Rúben Amorim has been told he must sign a “top-class” star this summer once Manchester United finalise a transfer for Matheus Cunha.
Manchester United’s ongoing search for a reliable goal scorer remains one of their most urgent concerns heading into the summer.
Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes have been the only consistent contributors in recent years, with Rashford scoring 30 goals during the 2022/23 season.
However, with Rashford expected to leave after his loan at Aston Villa and Fernandes now operating in a deeper role under Rúben Amorim, United’s attacking options look increasingly thin.
Rasmus Højlund has shown potential but is still developing and may not yet be ready to lead the line week in, week out. Joshua Zirkzee, meanwhile, seems more effective playing off a central striker rather than acting as the main number nine himself.
As the transfer window approaches, the club are actively exploring reinforcements — and reports indicate that Liam Delap is among their top priorities.
United told to sign Delap after Cunha
United are heavily focusing on securing Matheus Cunha this summer to bolster Amorim’s front line. Amid this, former Premier League bagsman Alan Shearer has explained that the club must look to secure Delap alongside the Brazilian international.
“They need a top-class centre-forward like Delap, but they need someone like Cunha as well. They need players defensively as well – all around the pitch, they need reinforcements,” Shearer told BetFair.
“Whether they can go out and spend that much, I don’t know. I suspect that may depend whether they get into the Champions League or not.
“I’ve read that there’s about a £30 million release clause for Liam Delap, which means that someone is going to get a real bargain in that. It isn’t a lot of money for a centre-forward with big potential, like he has.
“He’ll have tons of options, Delap will. When you look at all the clubs who need a centre-forward in the Premier League – Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool, Spurs – there’ll be huge clubs all looking at Delap.
“There’s no doubt, if it is that amount of money, then he will have big options.”
How certain is it that United sign Delap?
While United have been the side most often linked with Delap so far this summer and are favourites to bring him in, the transfer is not complete.
Many clubs across the Premier League and Europe are also interested in the English forward, with The Telegraph reporting that Newcastle have entered the race to sign him amid their potential summer loss of Alexander Isak.
Beyond the Gordie side, Chelsea have also been credited with significant interest across the last few months and have engaged in talks with the player over a potential transfer this summer.
Unlike Cunha, all reports indicate that Delap is not going to make a decision on his future until the season ends, but with his £30 million release clause set to be activated as soon as the window opens, his future is likely one that will be decided very quickly.
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