Ornstein: ‘Multiple conversations’ made it ‘clear’ Utd are in the mix for a forward who can ‘emulate’ Kane | OneFootball

Despite shelling out over £100 million to bolster the department in the last two summers, Manchester United chiefs are unsatisfied with their forward options.

Rasmus Hojlund (£72m) and Joshua Zirkzee (£36.5m) are finally finding form in recent weeks, with both notching respective braces against Bodø/Glimt and Everton.

However, one look at United on an off-day shows a considerable lack of firepower in attack, and if Ruben Amorim wants his Reds to be well amongst the mix competing for a top-four spot next season, reinforcements will likely be required to do so.

That’s why key transfer figures are putting the feelers out for which centre-forwards they could potentially welcome to Old Trafford at the end of the season. If it were up to fans, Viktor Gyokeres, 26, would be the first name through the door without any second guessing.

Liam Delap’s Premier League showings have impressed INEOS chiefs

(Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

The Swede is said to be on United’s shortlist, thankfully. Amorim’s ties to the prolific frontman may prove advantageous if other Premier League clubs ignite their pursuits when the summer window opens.

Elsewhere, Liam Delap, whom pundit Danny Murphy predicted can eventually ‘emulate’Three Lions skipper Harry Kane, is being considered as an up-and-coming option who’s settled relatively quickly into Premier League football this season.

A Manchester City academy graduate, Delap signed for the division’s newcomers in a £20m deal in July and has since gone from strength to strength as a mainstay under Kieran McKenna – even amidst Ipswich Town’s turbulent start. The 21-year-old has notched six goals and one assist in his 14 appearances thus far, making it no surprise that he’s caught the eye of some of the league’s top dogs.

“Through multiple conversations I had, it was clear that the biggest guns, the so-called top six members of that, call it the elite bracket, if you like, such as your Chelsea’s, your Manchester United’s, are taking a very close look [at Delap],” transfer expert David Ornstein revealed on The Athletic FC podcast.

“They’re monitoring, they’ve got interest in him. They’ve got interest in lots of players. I’m not just saying it’s him, but he’s on these transfer lists. The recruitment targets that they weigh up. They constantly consider the qualities, the drawbacks, the data, and so on.

“And that’s brought the sort of information to me that if he continues on this rise, we’re going to be dealing with somebody that Ipswich face a battle, maybe even a struggle, to keep hold of next summer, even if they stay in the Premier League.”

More Stories / Latest News

Ornstein: ‘Multiple conversations’ made it ‘clear’ Utd are in the mix for a forward who can ‘emulate’ Kane

Dec 6 2024, 13:41

Madrid could scupper United and LFC’s plans to vie for ‘explosive’ PL starlet; he’s one of INEOS’ ‘main options’

Dec 6 2024, 9:14

£150k-a-week United star now at risk of being replaced in Jan, Amorim has seen enough

Dec 6 2024, 8:20