With a place in the top-four still to secure and two major trophies to fight for, Erik ten Hag will be minded not to place too much focus on the summer transfer window but the Manchester United boss is all too aware of the need for a world-class striker.
The signing of Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley in January was necessary - proven by the fact that Anthony Martial has not been available since - but to label it as successful would be stretching. Yes, United have won one major trophy with the Dutchman leading the line but two goals in 18 appearances is below what was expected.
As such, United have prioritised a proven goalscorer this summer as Ten Hag builds a squad fit for a Premier League title challenge. Victor Osimhen remains under consideration - rightly so, given his 21 goals in 23 league games has Napoli top of Serie A - while Randal Kolo Muani and Rasmus Hojlund are of interest, but Harry Kane has been earmarked as target No.1 and the Reds are hopeful of landing him.
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The 29-year-old will enter the final 12 months of his contract at Tottenham this summer but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is expected to play hardball with his usual stubbornness. Nevertheless, United will push hard for the England international, seeing a proven Premier League goalscorer as an iron-clad option to the relative risk of talent from abroad.
And with good reason: Kane has scored at least 20 league goals in six of his last nine seasons at Spurs, and averaged just over 22 each campaign in that time. A move to Old Trafford would demand little bedding in, with the England international already well-tuned to the rigours of Premier League football.
It's the kind of decision that can bring league titles to Old Trafford and one that did under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012/2013.
It was Ferguson himself that insisted 'attack wins you games, defence wins you titles' but the former United boss would readily admit his 13th and final Premier League triumph was led by a striker.
United lost the previous season's race to Manchester City on a dramatic final day that no one needs reminding of. That summer, the Scot sanctioned a move for Robin van Persie to the tune of £24million. The Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford off the back of an outstanding season at Arsenal in which he netted 30 times in 38 league appearances.
Van Persie elevated that United side, scoring 26 goals and winning the Golden Boot as Ferguson's side romped to the title, finishing 11 points clear of their Manchester rivals.
"To be honest with you, I think the signing of [Robin] van Persie, won us the league with his goals that season. He was fantastic," Ferguson told United's in-house media on Wednesday after being inducted into the Premier League's Hall of Fame.
"He was that thrust in the last third of the field and the goal he scored against Aston Villa from Wayne Rooney’s pass to win the league, you couldn’t have got a better goal than that."
Signing the proven option is by no means revolutionary, but it is sensible. Ten Hag will have multiple striker options this summer and while the likes of Osimhen, Kolo Muani or Hojlund may well succeed in the Premier League, Kane already has.
United could win three major trophies this season but there is still a feeling they need to spend big and spend smart ahead of next season to join City and Arsenal at the top.
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