Connect with us

Manchester United

Man Utd identify three striker targets for January to ease burden on Rasmus Hojlund

Manchester United have identified three striker targets for the January transfer window as they look to ease the burden on Rasmus Hojlund up front, according to Daily Mail.

Hojlund arrived from Atalanta in a deal worth £72 million over the summer and he has scored just three goals for the club thus far. All of those have come in the Champions League.

The Dane is finding it difficult in the early part of his Premier League career and it is reported that United could pursue an experienced striker in January to aid his development.

Brentford’s Ivan Toney is a potential target for the club alongside Porto’s Mehdi Taremi whose contract expires in the summer. Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is also being considered.

Toney and Taremi could be realisitic options

Toney is currently serving an eight month-ban for breaching FA betting rules and he won’t be permitted to return to competitive football until 17th January.

He has, however, started training with the Brentford squad and recently scored in a closed-doors friendly. The Englishman is keeping himself fit for his comeback.

The former Newcastle United man is a proven striker in the Premier League. Last season, he scored 20 goals in the division with 14 of those coming from open play.

He should fare better with more creative players around him. Sky Sports recently claimed that the Bees want £100m to consider his sale midway through the season.

United are unlikely to afford such a fee with Financial Fair Play issues. The best solution for them would be a loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the campaign.

Arsenal signed David Raya in a similar deal from the Bees. United will be hoping to persuade the west London outfit with an identical proposal for Toney, who was described as world-class by their manager.

Meanwhile, Taremi could come on the cheap with his deal expiring during the summer. He could be available for around £10-15m as he is already 31 years of age.

The Iranian was in sensational form last term with 31 goals and 14 assists. He has continued his fine run with three goals and three assists thus far for Porto in all competitions.

He has the ability to operate as a second striker and could play second fiddle to Hojlund unlike Toney, who may want to be the main man up front for United if he were to join.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com