Manchester United are working on several new goal-scoring avenues after their first-choice striker target, Liam Delap, rejected them.
Manchester United are actively pursuing new strikers this summer after a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, which saw them finish 15th in the Premier League and fall short in the Europa League final.
The team struggled to take their chances throughout the season. Bruno Fernandes was the top scorer with 19 goals, followed by Amad and Alejandro Garnacho on 11 each—no player managed to surpass the 20-goal mark.
In response, United are moving swiftly in the transfer market. Versatile forward Matheus Cunha is set to join in a £62.5 million deal, while Bryan Mbeumo has given the green light for a potential move from Brentford.
Rúben Amorim’s side continue to assess attacking options, but they’ve suffered an early setback with top striker target Liam Delap opting to undergo a medical and sign with Chelsea instead.
Where are United turning to after Delap?
The striker market is becoming increasingly competitive, with Arsenal, United, and Tottenham, among other European clubs, all seeking new additions to their respective front lines.
With Delap having picked Chelsea, The Athletic have broken down United’s possible alternative striker options this summer, naming both Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyökeres.
According to The Athletic, Delap’s rejection may prompt United to reevaluate their stance on Osimhen, as he was initially deemed too expensive to sign due to his wage demands, which exceed £300,000 a week.
Osimhen would be a brilliant signing for United, having bagged 37 goals while on loan at Galatasaray and Napoli, who want to offload the striker this summer, are reportedly open to a potential player-plus-cash deal involving Rasmus Højlund.
Meanwhile, The Athletic also detail that Amorim remains a “major admirer” of striker Gyökeres, who scored 66 goals in 68 games under the head coach while the pair were together at Sporting CP.
Should United look to sign a cheaper striker?
The major sticking point is that, with United limited in their budget this summer and either of these players likely to cost around £50-60 million this summer as a flat fee, United might not be able to afford either.
Most reports have estimated the club’s initial transfer budget at around £100 million, which will be depleted by the Cunha and potential Mbeumo transfers, leaving the remaining funds to come from sales.
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While the club hope to raise over £150 million from the sales of Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and others, there are still several other positions for which United must secure signings.
A new midfielder is needed, and The Athletic state that if André Onana were to leave, the club must look to sign a new goalkeeper, too.
With Cunha and Mbeumo both goal-scoring forwards, United may be better off looking at signing a value-for-money older striker to compete with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund if the latter stays at United, and instead direct the remainder of their funds toward signing a high-quality midfielder.
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