Stuttgart star Sasa Kalajdzic is set to ignore the advice of his national team's boss Ralf Rangnick and push through a move to Manchester United.
The Red Devils are attempting to boost their options in attack, with Cristiano Ronaldo currently their only fit striker. At first, United were looking to Red Bull Salzburg's Benjamin Sesko as an attacking reinforcement, but they saw the striker join RB Leipzig instead.
United boss Erik ten Hag has also been pursuing a move for Antony, though it appears the Premier League side will be priced out of a deal for the Ajax winger. With those deals falling flat, Kalajdzic has now emerged as an option having impressed in the Bundesliga.
The Austrian is in the final year of his contract at Stuttgart, with Sky Sports reporting he is 'of interest' to Ten Hag. Kalajdzic has welcomed that interest, with the 25-year-old said to be 'wanting' to move to Old Trafford.
Kalajdzic believes the time is right for a new challenge in his career, having scored 24 goals in 58 games for Stuttgart. But his decision to potentially push through a move to United flies in the face of advice given to him by Rangnick.
Rangnick spent six months as United's interim manager last season, a campaign in which the crisis at the club was laid bare for all to see. After leaving Old Trafford, the German took over as manager of the Austrian national team.
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Kalajdzic has played in two of the four games Rangnick has taken charge of so far. And the Austria boss has now urged the striker to snub a move to United and instead stay with Stuttgart.
"It is important that Sasa remains injury-free this season and trains and plays at the highest possible level. If he stays in Stuttgart this season, it will not be detrimental to his development," Rangnick told Sky Germany.
According to Sky Germany, Stuttgart are willing to let him leave if a fee is 'appropriate'. United are not the first team Kalajdzic has been linked with in recent weeks, though it appears the Red Devils are now the frontrunners.
He is returning from an injury-disrupted campaign last term, in which he only played 15 Bundesliga matches. He started their opening game of the new season last Sunday, playing 64 minutes and assisting Naouirou Ahamada's equaliser as Stuttgart drew with Leipzig.
Ten Hag refused to be drawn on any incomings when he spoke ahead of the trip to Brentford. He did insist though that things were progressing on the transfer front as he seeks reinforcements.
"I'm happy, I think we're cooperating really well. I cannot tell [you] about any individuals because I cannot talk about players who are under contract with other clubs. I know there is always pressure and I have experience of how that is," the United boss said.
