Manchester United transfer target Randal Kolo Muani has 'offered' himself to Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain.
After guiding United to a third place finish this term, Erik ten Hag is determined to add some much needed firepower to his squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign and acquiring an orthodox No.9 is the Dutchman's top priority in the upcoming transfer window.
England captain Harry Kane is Manchester United's top target but the club are more than aware that Tottenham are unlikely to want to sell their star striker to them - a development which has led to Ten Hag identifying a number of alternative targets who have been deemed to be more obtainable.
Kolo Muani fits that bill, but the 24-year-old also has other suitors after plundering 15 goals in 31 games for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga this term. The sought-after striker has also broken into the France national team.
It remains to be seen whether or not United would be willing - or able - to meet Frankfurt's £68.7million valuation of the striker at this stage, but it seems as though Kolo Muani has sights set on a move elsewhere anyway.
According to a fresh report from Marca, Kolo Muani has 'offered' himself to Real Madrid, who will be in the market for a No.9 if they lose the services of Bernabeu icon Karim Benzema in the coming weeks.
Kolo Muani's desire to land a dream move to Real Madrid is another setback for Ten Hag, who has also sounded out Atalanta over a move for Rasmus Hojlund as fears grow over United's chances of landing Kane this summer.
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After qualifying for the Champions League, Manchester United are expected to have funds to spend this summer, however, the ongoing takeover saga means that Ten Hag has been left in the dark over how much his transfer budget actually is.
And with Anthony Martial and Wout Weghorst expected to play no part for Manchester United next season, Ten Hag once again stressed that the club need to acquire a striker who is capable of easing the goalscoring burden on Marcus Rashford during a recent interview with The Times.
The United boss said: “He [Rashford] can play as a centre forward, can play from the left, can play from the right. When you see his stats, he is scoring everywhere but he feels more comfortable as a centre forward or from the left.”
He added: “What we need besides Marcus Rashford is one extra player with scoring abilities whether it’s coming out of our own squad or we have to sign one.”