Manchester United have a big summer in store and a new striker is at the top of their agenda.
Erik ten Hag's side made great strides last season but still remain a distance away from competing with Manchester City. Only Fulham and Aston Villa scored fewer goals in the top 10 than United and if it wasn't for Marcus Rashford's return to form they would have really struggled to find the back of the net.
A new striker has long been earmarked as the priority for the transfer window and Harry Kane was quickly pinpointed as the top target. The England captain is a guaranteed source of goals having netted at least 20 in the last nine seasons - hitting 30 four times - and he has only a year remaining on his contract at Tottenham.
However, United are now working under the assumption Spurs will be unwilling to sell their star asset and, even if they do, Real Madrid have emerged as a more likely destination after Karim Benzema left the Bernabeu. United have turned their attentions elsewhere, with Ten Hag holding talks with Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund, but it's still not clear which striker they will eventually sign.
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Below, MEN Sport writers have named the striker they believe United should swoop for in the summer.
Daniel Murphy
Before turning to their list of alternatives, United really should exhaust every possible option they can to try and get Harry Kane. He would be the perfect addition to bring that reliable source of goals the side has lacked for so long. It's a move that couldn't go wrong.
But if Real Madrid throw their weight around or Tottenham dig their heels in it may not be possible. In that instance, Rasmus Hojlund would be an intriguing alternative. It's a much riskier move given he is so young and inexperienced but the upside is he will be cheaper and have a much longer shelf life.
The benefit of hopefully splashing out much less on the striker means there will be room in the budget to add additional attacking reinforcements. Hojlund alone might not bring enough goals but if you also added a striker to compete with him, say Ivan Toney (when his ban expires) or a versatile forward like Mohamed Kudus it would greatly increase the firepower at Ten Hag's disposal.
Isaac Johnson
There is one standout alternative candidate and that is Victor Osimhen. He also may be the most expensive.
The 24-year-old Napoli star scored 31 goals in 39 matches this season and, on paper, has the attributes to cause Premier League defenders a nightmare. His signing would be a risk given he is unproven in England and has a bit of history with injuries.
But realistically anyone aside from Kane would be a bit of a punt, albeit with differing cost repercussions. Osimhen is being priced at more than £100m and Erik ten Hag is still in the dark over his transfer budget amid the takeover process.
However, if United want him they will probably need to snap him up quickly. He is, unsurprisingly, hot property with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain being linked.
Liam Wood
Elite goal-getters come at a premium and United are not the only side who have found that out over the years. It was far from indicative of the market to see Manchester City pay £51million for Erling Haaland last summer and he has done unthinkable things on the blue side of the city when, previously, he may have signed for United instead. It might be time to let that one go.
Comparisons with Rasmus Hojlund are understandable - if unfair - while Kane is, perhaps, the only available option who might be able to go toe-to-toe with Haaland should he sign from Tottenham. If Daniel Levy plays hardball over his signature, a left-field option could be Marcus Thuram. Available on a free transfer, the risks there are low. In turn, United would have a free run at Kane next summer and for no cost. It could be that back-up plan somehow affords Anthony Martial another season at Old Trafford.
A Manchester Evening News special souvenir edition - Fergie's First - charts United's 1992/93 title-winning campaign and you can get your hands on one here
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