There is an acceptance at Manchester United they are short of strength in depth up front as they consider attacking reinforcements.
High-ranking sources at the club concede United need to upgrade their forward line to meet manager Erik ten Hag's demand for proven options.
Ten Hag scolded United players over their profligacy after a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in Oslo on Saturday. Anthony Martial, scorer of three goals in four games on the pre-season tour, spurned a one-on-one and Harry Maguire missed a free header.
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Ajax have not budged over their €80million valuation of Antony and United football director John Murtough met the agent of Red Bull Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko two weeks ago.
Four attack-minded players - Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Edinson Cavani - left United at the end of their contracts in June.
Christian Eriksen has been United's only attacking addition this summer and is expected to primarily operate behind a front three. Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have been in good goalscoring form during pre-season but Ten Hag lamented United's profligacy in the 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in Oslo on Saturday.
Sancho missed both weekend friendlies with Atletico and Rayo Vallecano through illness and Anthony Elanga replaced him in Norway. Cristiano Ronaldo made his first United appearance in 12 weeks against Vallecano and came off at half-time.
Ronaldo has not committed his immediate future to United and Elanga has struggled for form since scoring in the Champions League round-of-16 draw with Atletico in February - his last club goal.
Right winger Facundo Pellistri - yet to make his competitive debut for United - came on against Atletico but sustained a twisted ankle and had to wear a protective boot. Amad replaced Ronaldo to score against Vallecano and has played through the middle in pre-season, having been bought as a right-sided forward.
Tahith Chong's playing time has mystified observers and he was pilloried for his toothless performance against Vallecano. United triggered the one-year extension in Chong's contract as they anticipated they would obtain a fee for him this summer.
Alejandro Garnacho thrived on his first appearance in pre-season against Vallecano and drew praise from Ten Hag afterwards. Garnacho, 18, is under contract until 2025 but United are discussing an improved deal to reflect his impressive development since arriving from Atletico's academy in 2020.
Garnacho scored seven goals in six games during United's triumphant FA Youth Cup run last season and made his first-team debut against Chelsea in April.
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