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Goalscoring has not come easily to Manchester United during Erik ten Hag’s two-year reign with the Red Devils netting only 57 goals in the Premier League last term while in his first year in charge, the team registered only 58 goals.
The club recruited Rasmus Hojlund last summer and the Dane emerged as the top-scorer with 16 goals. The manager was forced to overplay him due to the lack of options and that has to change moving forward.
INEOS have realised that quite early on in their tenure and the 20-time English league champions are close to wrapping up a deal for Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna.
The Netherlands international is adept at dropping deep, linking up play and going wide to stretch the play. His profile is very different from that of the Denmark international, who is more of an out-and-out No 9.
United eyeing another striker
Apart from Zirkzee, the Old Trafford side are also reportedly looking for another backup striker and The Peoples Person relayed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton and Ivan Toney of Brentford are of interest.
The Bees are likely to demand a lot for the Euro 2024 star and keeping in mind budgetary constraints, a move for the Toffees star makes more sense.
His current deal ends in 2025 and according to TeamTalk, the 27-year-old has rejected Everton’s latest contract proposal and wants to leave Goodison Park.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin has turned down a contract extension offer from Everton amid interest in him from Manchester United, TEAMtalk can reveal.
Calvert-Lewin rejects Everton offer
“Without a new deal being struck, he’d be free to leave for nothing next summer. The natural course of action in this case tends to be a sale the summer prior to the free exit, so that the club can guarantee receiving a fee. United are all ears as they await that decision from Everton.”
Sean Dyche’s side would also prefer to recoup a fee rather than losing him on a free next summer. They had slapped a £40 million price tag on the Englishman, which saw Newcastle abandon their chase.
United would prefer to complete a deal at a more realistic valuation considering the striker’s troubled injury history. He has missed over 70 games in the last three seasons. Calvert-Lewin’s current market value stands at €22 million (£18 million).
The striker is not the only Everton player on United’s radar with teammate Jarrad Branthwaite the club’s top defensive target. So far, they have seen two of their bids get rejected while they are mulling over a fresh approach.
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