Man Utd chase for perfect striker solution at breaking point as Real Madrid emerge to disrupt Ten Hag plan

Manchester United could miss out on an ideal striker signing amid growing interest from Real Madrid and another European heavyweight, according to reports.

In the season just gone, the only centre-forward Erik ten Hag could rely on for regular goals was Marcus Rashford. Anthony Martial did manage to score nine times in 29 appearances, but several injury problems limited his influence on Man Utd. Wout Weghorst, meanwhile, proved to be better at improving the players around him rather than actually getting on the scoresheet.

As Rashford would rather play as a left winger than at centre-forward, Ten Hag must decide what to do in the position. Weghorst has headed back to Burnley following the end of his loan spell and is unlikely to be re-signed by Man Utd. Martial could either be kept on as a backup striker or sold to improve Ten Hag’s transfer funds.

Man Utd have been heavily linked with a move for Tottenham and England star Harry Kane as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his Tottenham contract. But on Wednesday, the Red Devils ended their pursuit of Kane amid fears that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will force them to overpay massively.

With £150million-rated Victor Osimhen too expensive as well, attention has now turned to Rasmus Hojlund, the 20-year-old attacker making a big impression with Atalanta.

But if Ten Hag wants a slightly more experienced striker, then he could go all out for Eintracht Frankfurt ace Randal Kolo Muani.

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He played for France at the Qatar World Cup and has just enjoyed a great season, having netted 23 goals in 46 matches at club level.

Last week, reports in Germany suggested Man Utd were ‘ready’ to submit an opening offer for Kolo Muani. And in another boost, Frankfurt have already decided on Union Saint-Gilloise’s Victor Boniface as Kolo Muani’s potential replacement up front.

Man Utd have two big rivals for striker raid

Man Utd have now been handed two pieces of bad news, though. Earlier this week, Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg outlined how Bayern want Kolo Muani to become their new striker. And now, RMC Sport detail Real Madrid’s interest in him.

They claim Madrid are ‘on the move’ for the 24-year-old, which suggests the Spanish giants are drawing up plans to submit an offer.

The race for Kolo Muani will apparently ‘accelerate’ once he returns from international duty with France. Les Blues play Gibraltar on Friday evening before coming up against Greece on Monday.

RMC Sport add that Frankfurt have actually lowered their demands for their most valuable player. After previously asking for €100m (£85.5m) to agree on a sale, they are now willing to accept €80m (£64m).

Man Utd must now decide whether they want to rival Madrid and Bayern for Kolo Muani, or if they want to prioritise a move for Hojlund instead.

It would be sensible if Man Utd kept tabs on Kolo Muani’s situation as both Madrid and Bayern have alternative targets of their own. Madrid could push their Kylian Mbappe swoop forward by a year following his decision not to extend his Paris Saint-Germain deal, while Bayern are keen on Napoli’s Osimhen.

It seems there will be a major striker merry-go-round this summer and Man Utd will almost certainly be involved.

Meanwhile, Man Utd have received four Prem offers for one of their most exciting attackers, a report claims.