Manchester United could pursue a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Andre Silva, as they are financially incapable of matching Erling Braut Haaland’s price tag, per the Daily Express.
Borussia Dortmund’s goal-machine is wanted by most of Europe’s top clubs, with the auction for his services set to kick-start as soon as the transfer window reopens for business.
The Signal Iduna Park club splashed out £18 million to snatch Haaland away from RB Salzburg in January 2019, and they are looking to make a substantial profit from his sale.
The 20-year-old striker will command a transfer fee of around £128m this summer, which is affordable to only a handful of clubs.
Unfortunately, the Red Devils are not among them after the coronavirus crisis put the squeeze on the club’s finances.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was hoping for a reunion with Haaland after introducing him to a senior football at Molde.
However, the Norwegian tactician also has other areas of the squad to strengthen in the summer and is operating on a tight budget.
On that basis, United are scouring the market for potential alternatives to Haaland, and the name of Silva has popped up.
The Portuguese striker joined Frankfurt as part of a swap deal to take Ante Rebic to Milan in 2019 and he has since excelled in the Bundesliga.
Having scored 21 league goals this season, the 25-year-old is currently sitting level with Haaland in second on the scoreboard in Germany’s top-flight.
Although there is a sizeable gap in the quality between the two, Silva has proved more than capable of providing goals regularly throughout his career at Frankfurt.
The former Porto youngster showed flashes of his brilliance during his brief spells at AC Milan and Sevilla, but his potential has truly burst into life in the Bundesliga.
Silva’s representative Jorge Mendes harbours a healthy relationship with Old Trafford chiefs, unlike Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola.
Mendes’ involvement in the deal would help United get a discount on Frankfurt’s £50m valuation.
Yet to reach his peak, Silva has plenty of room for improvement, and his age and skills perfectly fit the profile for the type of player Solskjaer wants to recruit this summer.
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