Manchester United are preparing to launch their first bid for Frankfurt star Randal Kolo Muani.
Erik ten Hag is desperate to add a centre forward to his squad this summer. The Red Devils lost Cristiano Ronaldo in January as he made the move to Al-Nassr, while Anthony Martial has struggled with injuries and Wout Weghorst will return to newly promoted Burnley at the end of his loan spell on June 30.
United will have no senior recognised striker in the squad when Martial is out, although Marcus Rashford has often filled into the no.9 berth. However, Rashford's best position is arguably coming in from the left-hand side, meaning Ten Hag may have to dip into the market to sign at least one, possibly two forwards.
France international Kolo Muani is a name that has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford. Now, according to a report from Bild in Germany, United are expected to put an opening offer in for Kolo Muani, who is under contract at Frankfurt until 2027. He has also attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich after impressing this season.
Kolo Muani has scored 23 goals in 45 matches during the 2022/23 campaign and also shone for France at the World Cup. The 24-year-old is a dynamic forward but predominately plays down the middle and has pace to burn. He is also clever in front of goal and can finish, as evidenced by his excellent scoring record.
United could do with a striker of Kolo Muani's qualities, although Ten Hag is looking at other alternatives in case Frankfurt decide to keep their talisman. Harry Kane is at the top of United's shopping list but Tottenham are likely to play hardball despite the England forward having just one year left on his contract.
Spurs also won't compete in Europe next season for the first time in over a decade, and a move to United is looking increasingly tempting for Kane, given the Red Devils are in the Champions League. But United are set to face stiff competition from the likes of Real Madrid, with Carlo Ancelotti ready to sign the 30-goal hitman.
A report on Sunday also revealed that a move to United could be proven even tougher as Tottenham are unwilling to sell to a Premier League rival. They would rather allow him to leave as a free agent at the end of the 2023/24 season, despite Kane's current value being at around £100m.
The 29-year-old has just come off the back of his best personal season to date in his career, scoring an impressive 30 Premier League goals. He was second in the Golden Boot race, with only Manchester City's Erling Haaland scoring more.
