Manchester United will explore the January market for striker alternatives.
Erik ten Hag is desperately keen for a Cristiano Ronaldo replacement. There are many names that have been mentioned in this regard.
Some of these names include Cody Gakpo, Gonçalo Ramos and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.
For each target, United face a significant battle to lure them to Old Trafford in January.
For instance, in the case of Goncalo Ramos, with Benfica currently sitting at the top of the Liga Portuguesa standings and in the knockout round of the Champions League, club president Rui Costa has publicly declared that the only way to pry the Portuguese off their hands in January would be to pay his €120m release clause.
Rafael Leao is also locked in negotiations with the Serie A giants over a new deal, amidst heavy interest and competition for his signature from Chelsea.
PSV Eindhoven are also demanding a significant fee for Gakpo, one of the World Cup’s breakout stars.
According to The Telegraph, Ten Hag has added another name to his transfer list of possible Ronaldo replacements – Mohammed Kudus.
Luke Edwards reports, “Another player on the United shortlist is Ajax’s Ghana international Mohammed Kudus, who has worked with Ten Hag before.”
Edwards’ report is corroborated by The Athletic, who stipulate, “Ten Hag admires the skill and dynamism of Mohammed Kudus, the 22-year-old Ghana star who he managed at Ajax.”
The Athletic adds that United club chiefs are conscious of how difficult it is to attain high-level targets during the winter window.
It is for this reason that they have arrived at an ultimatum – the club will not go for a bargain option that does not possess the quality required to improve the squad. Any deal should also be affordable.
