‘A player they considered…’: Romano confirms Utd have four-man striker shortlist, including 38-goal PL star | OneFootball

Manchester United remain actively scouring the market for a suitable centre-forward addition, having missed out on first-choice targets Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres.

Indeed, INEOS chiefs are now floundering to sanction a striker arrival to either replace or rotate with Rasmus Hojlund next season, following the Dane’s dismal four-goal Premier League campaign in 2024/2025.

United were previously said to be among Jean-Philippe Mateta’s admirers earlier in the window. However, amid newly-reported interest from Liverpool, Romano has confirmed United are yet to do anything more than check in on the Frenchman’s situation.

Why Jean-Philippe Mateta appealed to United

Mateta has flourished under Oliver Glasner. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Whilst slightly older than the type of signings the new co-owners are trying to recruit at 28 years old, an acquisition like Mateta, who’s Premier League-proven, certainly wouldn’t go amiss.

He has recorded 38 top-flight goals in 130 appearances thus far, but has found his feet more in the last two terms, during which he notched 16 goals and six assists (23/24) and 14 goals and two assists (24/25).

Crystal Palace are adamant about keeping hold of their frontman and have been trying to tie him down to a more long-term deal since the start of June; his current contract will expire in 2027 after they activated his 12-month extension.

In the meantime, Mateta is thought to have hopes of making France’s World Cup squad in 2026, and will know that a stellar nine months of action in the league and Europe will put him in good standing with Didier Deschamps.

Romano: United ‘considered’ Mateta swoop several weeks ago

When pressed on the FA Cup winner’s links to Old Trafford, Romano revealed today (via GiveMeSport):  “For Man United, there are several options for the striker position. I think it will depend on how much they spend on different targets. It’s going to be about the budget.

”Mateta is a player they considered already at the start of the transfer window as one of the options being assessed, but United never made any bid to Palace or to the player. I think they have three or four options for the striker position but, for now, the focus is on closing the [Bryan] Mbeumo deal.”

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