Manchester United and Bayern Munich will go head-to-head in a battle to sign France international striker Randal Kolo Muani.
United are hopeful of signing two forwards this summer – one with the profile to immediately fit into their strongest starting line-up, which Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kolo Muani would fit, and a younger option who can be rotated into the side throughout the campaign.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane had led Erik ten Hag’s target list this summer as he is on red alert to sign a central striker at Old Trafford. However, United chiefs have swiftly grown pessimistic on any deal as they believe that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will simply not countenance the striker’s exit and much less to a direct rival in the Premier League.
As reported earlier this month in The Athletic, interest in the striker alongside Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund has been moved forward with deals being assessed this summer. It would signal the continued overhaul of United’s first-team squad under Ten Hag.
Interest in France international Kolo Muani may prove tricky to bring to a conclusion, but United have received a boost in that Frankfurt will not seek to increase his relatively modest €1.5million annual salary while his future is uncertain – as detailed by Sky Sports in Germany.
A report in L’Equipe claims that the Frankfurt striker’s future is now set to come to a head. He had been fully focused on playing for France over the international break and insisted that nobody speak over his future, which has increasingly been in the spotlight.
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It is claimed that both United and Bayern are the frontrunners for the striker with a decision date approaching. Kolo Muani is thought to be open to a move and it could signal a significant arrival at Old Trafford.
Kolo Muani, 24, scored 23 goals in 45 games for Frankfurt after arriving on a free transfer following his departure from Nantes. He played a big role in France’s World Cup campaign last year – netting in the semi-final win over Morocco and appearing in the showpiece against Argentina.
Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos and Mohammed Kudus, whom Ten Hag coached at Ajax, are also under consideration at United, while the club have approached Atalanta regarding their interest in striker Hojlund – but any asking price is likely to complicate the move.
