Manchester United are looking at the loan market if they are to sign a striker in the January transfer window.
Erik ten Hag wants to sign a new forward after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo but after a £225million spend in the summer funds are limited at Old Trafford.
That means the club are assessing options primarily available on loan, rather than looking to recruit a forward on a permanent deal in the mid-season window.
READ MORE: United can pursue Gakpo alternative with £16million they've saved
United wanted to sign PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo in the summer and Ten Hag is an admirer of the player, but the 23-year-old is set to sign for Liverpool for a fee that could rise to £44million.
Gakpo played centrally for the Netherlands in the World Cup but has operated primarily for the left for his club. With United focusing funds on the summer window, they were unwilling to match Liverpool’s move for Gakpo.
A short-term move for a striker is the most likely outcome in January. Atletico Madrid’s Portugal international Joao Felix could be available on a temporary basis, although he is likely to command a substantial loan fee and high wages. United saved around £16million on Ronaldo’s wages when he agreed to rip up the remainder of his contract. United considered a move for their former number seven Memphis Depay in the summer and he could be available on a loan basis from Barcelona.
United signed five players on permanent deals in the summer in Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Antony. The outlay of £225million was considerably more than they had expected to spend at the start of Ten Hag's first window in charge.
Ten Hag is an admirer of Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos and Ajax’s versatile attacker Mohammed Kudus, but neither player is likely to be available on loan in January. United have also looked at Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, but he will be only available in the summer, with the Neapolitans chasing the Serie A title and into the last-16 in the Champions League.
Following Ronaldo’s departure, Anthony Martial is the only natural No. 9 in Ten Hag’s squad, although Marcus Rashford has been pressed into service as a centre-forward at times this season.
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