A successful summer transfer window in which Manchester United spent over £200m to secure the permanent signings of five players meant that new manager Erik ten Hag managed to plug quite a few holes in the squad.
With defense and midfield sorted for now, the next big puzzle to solve is up front. The club’s initial plan was to wait until the summer of 2023 to find an elite goalscorer.
But with United’s current options failing or injured and the sensational departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Old Trafford side will be forced to bring their plans forward.
The hunt for the United striker
And as with any transfer United aim to complete, they have been linked to just about every player under the sun.
If the deal is to be completed in January, it will be for a price United are comfortable with considering their summer outlay.
As of now, the biggest names to be linked with a move to Theater of Dreams include Dutch stars Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay and Portuguese star Joao Felix.
Jorge Mendes has already informed Atlético that Joao Félix has offers and is going to leave this January. For the price, the exit could come as a Loan with an obligation to buy. His options include Manchester United (@ La_SER) #mufc ???? pic.twitter.com/cb2EvoknvD
— United Watch ???? (@TheUtdwatch) December 3, 2022
Interestingly, Atlético Madrid are grudgingly resigning themselves to the fact that their crown jewel will eventually part ways after their reduced role this season and due to differences that have arisen between the player and manager Diego Simeone.
“It will speed up in a few weeks,” Félix’s entourage has insinuated to Marca, referring to the end of the World Cup when both player and club will sit down to set the future course of action.
Elimination from the Champions League has been a financial blow for the rojiblancos and the club will only sell if the price is right.
And the World Cup could come to the rescue of the madridistas if the Portuguese international wants to have a splendid personal campaign.
Atlético bets on the screens of Felix WC
“It is not the same to have a great role as to go unnoticed when it comes to selling,” sources close to the development have insinuated to the publication.
The 23-year-old has had a mixed time in Qatar so far. He scored a fine goal in Portugal’s opening win against Ghana before enduring a poor display against Uruguay. He rested for the last group game.
The report further points out how clubs greatly benefit from their players performing miracles on the biggest stage.
And Atlético are hoping for a James RodrÃguez-style display from their star so that the asking price can rise significantly.
It should be remembered that the former Benfica star moved to Wanda Metropolitano for a whopping £113 million in 2019 and despite encouraging performances, the player ultimately did not live up to his massive price tag.
So far, the La Liga giants have insisted on selling the player for no less than €100m, with Transfermarkt showing the real price to be €50m.
The Red Devils are unlikely to match that price in January and by then Felix’s stock could drop further. It will be interesting to see how this saga plays out in the end.
