Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur competing for Serie A hotshot Albert Gudmundsson | OneFootball

Manchester United hardy carried any attacking threat as they surrendered 0-4 to Crystal Palace in their Premier League game at Selhurst Park on Monday.

While Michael Olise was on fire for the Eagles, United’s forward line hardly had a sniff with striker Rasmus Hojlund starved of service throughout the night.

The Dane has struggled with his back-to-goal play and it is clear that he is not yet ready to lead the line consistently for the biggest club in the world.

Manager Erik ten Hag always knew overburdening the 21-year-old would be the wrong move and so he asked for reinforcements last summer as well as in January but nothing was forthcoming.

United need help up front

Now with Anthony Martial set to leave and Marcus Rashford’s future uncertain, the club are aware of the need to strengthen up front.

But a lot will depend on the budget available with years of mismanagement meaning the Red Devils cannot afford to spend big in one position as the entire squad needs additions.

Real Madrid’s Champions League hero Joselu has emerged as a low-cost option while TeamTalk have now revealed that Genoa’s Albert Gudmundsson is another target the club are monitoring.

The Serie A club are open to offers of close to €30 million but Tottenham Hotspur are ahead of the Red Devils while plenty of Italian clubs are also interested.

The Iceland international has 16 goals and four assists this season as well as four goals for his country in the recent Euro qualifiers which his nation narrowly lost.

The 26-year-old is extremely versatile, as while he largely plays as a support striker or a withdrawn forward, he can also play on the wings or as the attacking midfielder if required.

United ideally need a powerhouse striker and not a support striker to help their young Dane and hence, United’s interest is not that high at the moment.

“Genoa forward Albert Gudmundsson is wanted by several Premier League clubs including Tottenham and Manchester United, TEAMtalk can exclusively confirm.

“Genoa are willing to let him go for an offer deemed suitable and will evaluate proposals of at least €30 million, hoping to maximize his possible transfer.

Race on for Gudmundsson

“TEAMtalk understands that Premier League clubs, Tottenham, Aston Villa and, to a lesser extent Manchester United, appreciate Gudmundsson’s talent and have included him on their transfer shortlists as they seek to strengthen their attacks for next season.

“In Italy, Inter are have shown persistent interest in the Icelandic player, even if the price set by Genoa could be too high for the pocket of the Italian champions. Juventus are also interested in him.”

Spurs have great relations with Genoa since their January deal for Radu Dragusin and a meeting is planned between the two clubs that could give the North London team the edge.

No doubt talented, but the former AZ Alkmaar star is not the profile the Old Trafford side should be looking at at present and it will be intriguing to see which striker INEOS zero in on when the summer window does open.

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