Manchester United are no longer in the hunt for a striker after Odion Ighalo’s loan spell was extended until January 2021.
The club confirmed on Monday that the Nigerian forward would remain in Manchester for a further seven months, after it was expected he would return to parent club Shanghai Shenhua for the start of the delayed Chinese Super League season.
ESPN report that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now satisfied with his striker options after Ighalo’s extension and is instead prioritising a versatile forward.
Surely United would have focused their attention on signing a natural number 9 if Ighalo had left, but the fact his future has now been resolved allows Solskjaer to look at strengthening in other areas.
And ESPN add that Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish have emerged as two of the top targets, each of whom could play in the Norwegian’s fluid front three.
United are hoping to sign at least one of the young English duo, who fit the new recruitment criteria at Old Trafford perfectly.
Admittedly, the club has not been immune to the financial hit taken by the coronavirus pandemic, but funds are still believed to be available for Solskjaer and each player would be available at the right-price.
Borussia Dortmund starlet Sancho is the superstar signing that would have every fan excited. The 20-year-old has been on fire in the Bundesliga this season and could be the perfect solution to the lack of balance on the right-wing.
Grealish, meanwhile, has been totemic in Aston Villa’s survival charge this season and should be attainable this summer if his boyhood club are relegated.
Also under the category of a versatile attacker is Bayern Leverkusen star Kai Havertz.
According to reputable Bundesliga journalist Christian Falk, United are also interested in signing the German international.
True 😉 https://t.co/GtqMM5WG66
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) June 4, 2020
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