Man Utd in talks with €100m striker’s entourage as Ten Hag counters Chelsea plan for €60m alternative

Manchester United remain very much in the hunt to sign Randal Kolo Muani this summer, with Fabrizio Romano explaining why his signing is still very much on the radar for Erik ten Hag despite doubts over his asking price.

The Red Devils will this week step up their summer recruitment drive in what will likely be a telling period. Erik ten Hag’s side have already splashed out £55m to bring in Mason Mount from Chelsea. And the England star’s versatility and work-rate will give United an added dimension next season.

Next in through the doors will be Andre Onana with United closing on his £47m signing. The Inter Milan keeper will bust into the top three most expensive goalkeeper signings of all time.

But given his ability to play out from the back, it is easy to see why Ten Hag has been so keen to bring him in. To that end, Romano expects a conclusion to the saga to arrive this week with talks stepping up over Wednesday and Thursday.

United also want a new defender and Romano has provided an update on their interest in Axel Disasi. The Monaco defender is also wanted by Newcastle. But it seems United remain in the driving seat and will this week trigger Monaco’s €40m asking price.

Those two deals will take United’s summer spending over the £140m mark.

Indeed, the United manager is reportedly operating within an approximate summer budget of £120m. The United boss can, however, create additional funds through the sales of unwanted stars. And Fred, Anthony Martial, Eric Bailly, Harry Maguire and possibly Jadon Sancho all among the names reportedly set to leave.

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Ten Hag to pick between Kolo Muani and Hojlund

However, Ten Hag is adamant he wants a new striker this summer. Wout Weghorst did not do enough to convince during his loan spell. And a series of injuries to Martial has confirmed to Ten Hag that he, sadly, cannot rely on the France frontman.

As a result, the Red Devils are desperate to beef up their attack with a new reliable No 9.

Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen have been deemed both too costly and unobtainable. Deals for either will not be pursued.

That does, however, leave Ten Hag to pick from two solid options in Kolo Muani and Rasmus Hojlund.

And a deal for the Danish star – compared in the Italian media to Erling Haaland – has looked most likely.

Ten Hag and Co have seen an opening offer, worth around €40m, rejected by Atalanta for the striker. And with their asking price set at €60m, United at least know what to do if they are to seal a deal.

Reports on Sunday, though, suggest Chelsea are ready to burst on to scene and beat United to Hojlund’s signature.

That would come as a serious blow for Ten Hag, who is seemingly very keen on the 20-year-old.

Talks held over £85.5m Man Utd striker signing

Nonetheless, United do have other irons in the fire. And now Romano has confirmed that further talks have been held over a possible deal for Kolo Muani.

Speaking to Givemesport, the Italian reporter claims United have held fresh talks over the Eintracht Frankfurt striker.

“For Kolo Muani, the price tag is around €100m,” Romano stated.

“It’s true that Manchester United had some contact in the last two weeks to explore the conditions of the story. But Eintracht want €100m and also, they still hope to keep the player for one more season and sell him in summer 2024.”

That £85.5m would represent a major investment for United. And it would dwarf the £51.3m fee required for Hojlund in contrast.

However, Kolo Muani looks far more the finished product. And his output of 23 goals and 11 assists illustrate a striker of genuine quality, capable of creating opportunities for others as well as bagging for himself.

As such, it is easy to see why Ten Hag would be so keen.

However, any deal is likely to have to wait until after United manage to offload some unwanted stars first. The club will bust their summer budget by pushing through both Onana and Disasi.

But a new striker will come in once the club knows what additional funds sales of their unwanted stars will generate.

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