Man Utd target ‘open’ to PSG ‘project’ after Mbappe decision as Ten Hag is left with one striker option | OneFootball

Reported Man Utd targets Rasmus Hojlund (right) and Randal Kolo Muani (left).

Man Utd are working on a deal to sign a new striker with Erik ten Hag’s shortlist now reportedly down to Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani.

A No. 9 is thought to be Ten Hag’s top priority this summer. Anthony Martial led the line when he was available last term but failed to impress and was injured far too often.

The Dutch manager is also targeting a new goalkeeper with Inter’s Andre Onana reportedly top of his wishlist.

Man Utd are working within a limited budget this summer after record-breaking spending last year. This means Ten Hag is not expected to get his first choice in every position.

Ideally, he will land his top target in the goalkeeper position, or up front, with both unlikely, unless Qatar’s prospective takeover of the club is completed in the coming weeks.

The Glazers remain in charge and are weighing up offers from Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who will reportedly keep the American family on board.

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is one of the most sought-after players in world football, but the Serie A club’s whopping £150million asking price means a summer transfer is unlikely.

Instead, Man Utd are pursuing Kolo Muani and Hojlund.

It has been reported that the Red Devils are preparing a second bid for the latter after seeing a £30m offer rejected by Atalanta.

And according to the Daily Mail, Ten Hag wants a new striker in place for pre-season training.

As the Dutchman works off a restricted transfer budget, he will look to offload several players to create funds. One player who gets a mention is Fred, who is attracting interest from Fulham.

Man Utd ‘admire’ Hojlund after he scored nine goals in 32 Serie A appearances in 2022/23.

The Danish international would be cheaper than Osimhen and Kolo Muani, who registered 39 goal contributions in the Bundesliga last season.

While Kolo Muani and Osimhen are not as raw as Hojlund, the 20-year-old is certainly an interesting option who could improve the Red Devils right away while leading the line for years to come.

A separate report from French outlet L’Equipe says Paris Saint-Germain have joined the race to sign Kolo Muani.

After missing out on Marcus Thuram, who has joined Inter, PSG made the Frankfurt hitman their ‘priority’ after monitoring Osimhen and Tottenham’s Harry Kane.

It is noted that Kane will either stay at Spurs or join Bayern Munich, while Osimhen’s asking price has put the French champions off signing him.

In a blow to Man Utd, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, sporting advisor Luis Campos and star forward Kylian Mbappe have given their OK to the arrival of Kolo Muani, who they would ‘welcome with open arms’.

The 24-year-old fits everything the Ligue 1 giants want from a player: young, French, versatile, and someone with ‘very high potential’. The fact he grew up in Paris helps, as well.

Unfortunately for the Red Devils and PSG, Frankfurt want a club record fee to sell Kolo Muani. Their current record sale is €63m from Luka Jovic’s switch to Real Madrid in 2019.

Kolo Muani is ‘open to listening to PSG’s sporting project pitch’, though he ‘is very interested in making a move to the Premier League’, which bodes well for Erik ten Hag, and Chelsea, who have also been linked with the French international.