It is no secret that Manchester United want to sign a new striker next summer, but their two main targets will cost a pretty penny to supply them with (almost) guaranteed goals.
United are closer than they have been for quite some time to mounting a genuine Premier League title charge, while they cannot be discounted from the race this season. However, with Arsenal and Manchester City ahead, the bronze medal appears most likely reward for Erik ten Hag during his first campaign in the dugout.
But the Dutchman is perhaps only one marquee signing away from helping United become English champions, once again, or at the very least being tipped as favourites to reclaim their crown. Bringing in Victor Osimhen or prolific England captain Harry Kane would certainly do wonders for their pre-season odds.
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With the world at his feet, Osimhen fits the Ten Hag masterplan to a tee. His goals this term have spearheaded Napoli in their bid to win the Scudetto for the first time since 1990 and the first without iconic Argentine Diego Maradona. Not bad company at all for Osimhen to rank himself alongside.
His credentials as a long-term successor Cristiano Ronaldo must not be sniffed at - even for those who are not avid Serie A viewers - but 19 goals from 23 appearances this season are plenty to bolster his CV, while Osimhen matches the profile Ten Hag craves for his rebuild. Only he will cost £100million plus.
Kane, meanwhile, needs no such introduction. However, there is a grey area over his would-be transfer fee and doubts over whether or not Tottenham would even do business.
Despite one or two question marks, both players come with infinitely more pros than cons, but that might not even be the determining factor. What happens if the clubs, or players, rebuff United next summer?
That is a proposition fresh in the memory for Ten Hag and United supporters following their - at times - garishly public chase for Frenkie de Jong last summer. Long story short, he opted to stay with Barcelona and United had to go elsewhere in their quest to address long-standing problems in central midfield.
By hook or by crook, they settled on Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. Now that turned out pretty well.
Casemiro was signed for £60million from Real Madrid following humbling early season defeats by Brighton and Brentford. While his impact has been nothing short of staggering, recruiting Eriksen on a free has arguably been the biggest bargain of the year.
In the event United miss out on Osimhen or Kane next summer, they can repeat that transfer trick following an important update on Marcus Thuram and his Borussia Monchengladbach future. After four seasons, the forward will embark on a new adventure when his contract expires.
Albeit without concrete interest, United are among several Premier League clubs to have been linked with a move for the 25-year-old next summer. By signing him on a free transfer, his would-be arrival comes as low risk to United, similarly to how it was with Eriksen.
Of course, he would by no means be the preferred choice for Ten Hag to lead his line, but United need to have their contingency plans in place should Osimhen and Kane prove to be unattainable. Anthony Martial and Wout Weghorst have not exactly made themselves undroppable.
Thuram, meanwhile, showcased flashes of his ability throughout the World Cup and was summoned by France manager Didier Deschamps when the chips were down in their finale vs eventual winners Argentina. While the striker has yet to open his international account, 14 goals in 22 club appearances this season highlight his ability to hit the back of the net and Rashford needs assistance in that regard.
Signing a prolific new striker is item number one on the agenda for Ten Hag next summer. It appears as though United are willing to break the bank to give him what he wants, but that might not be necessary.
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