Manchester United's attempt to strengthen their front-line have suffered significant damage as one of their main transfer targets is on the cusp of a move elsewhere.
RB Salzburg's Karim Adeyemi has impressed plenty of clubs across the continent with his fine form this season, including those high up in the Old Trafford hierarchy. However, United may have to look elsewhere for a summer signing as the German international looks set for a return to his home country.
According to Sport1, United tried to hijack Borussia Dortmund's pursuit of the forward and even offered him an impressive £150,000-per-week - but their proposal fell on deaf ears. It is expected that Adeyemi will pen a five-year contract with the Bundesliga side that does not contain a release clause.
Adeyemi is rumoured to have always favoured a move to the Signal Iduna Park over a switch to Old Trafford, which could be perceived as a damning indictment of United's recent demise. The Red Devils currently languish as low as sixth in the Premier League table.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick will have to ensure that United win both of their final two league games of the season if the club are to avoid finishing a Premier League campaign with a record-low amount of points. Part of the club's struggles this term has been their blunt attack, with the entire goal-scoring burden at United at times feeling like it was being shouldered solely by Cristiano Ronaldo. The 31-year-old has 24 goals across all competitions this term.
His nearest challenger from within the club is Bruno Fernandes, who sits 14 efforts behind on 10. Mason Greenwood is remarkably in third place despite being suspended for around half of the campaign.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should United look to try and sign this summer? Comment below
The likes of Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have all drastically underwhelmed in front of goal - boasting a feeble return of just 12 goals between all three of them. As a result, it is easy to understand why those currently calling the shots want to add another goal-scorer into the mix for incoming boss Erik ten Hag to work with.
United will also potentially be without three attacking players currently on the books next season. Cavani and Jesse Lingard will leave the club following the expiration of their current contracts, while Anthony Martial is unlikely to get another chance at Old Trafford.
The Frenchman joined La Liga outfit Sevilla on loan in January and though his form has failed to meet expectation in Spain, United are keen to cash in on the forward two years before the end of his Old Trafford deal.
Unfortunately from a United perspective, they have beaten to the punch for Adeyemi by a Dortmund side arguably equally as desperate for someone who knows where the net is to replace Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland. The 21-year-old is widely expected to leave the German side this summer with every major club on the continent after his signature.
