Manchester United have already won three bids for a toothless striker with whom Erik ten Hag is willing to sever relations this month, according to reports.
United’s biggest challenge this season has been scoring goals, with 24 Premier League goals ranking 17th among the division’s attacks. Only Sheffield United (15), Burnley (21) and Crystal Palace (22) have scored fewer.
The Evening Standard recently claimed Man Utd are expected to oversee a low-key winter window. Conforming to the league’s Profit and Sustainability rules is in the club’s mind.
However, once Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s partial takeover has been approved and once the summer window rolls around, big things are expected.
Four major signings are wanted, with the headlines poised to be dominated by the striker pursuit.
In fact, the report claims that Ratcliffe needs his new centre-forward to be of Harry Kane caliber. There are few, if any, centre-forwards in world football at the moment.
A new striker who will distract Rasmus Hojlund will take advantage of the Dane in the long run. Hojlund has scored just two goals in the Premier League so far in what has been a tricky transition to English football.
Winger Facundo Pellistri is another who has made minimal impact. The 22-year-old Uruguayan has not scored a goal and has only given one hand in 14 appearances this season.
The Sun reported on Jan. 5 that Erik ten Hag was willing to let Pellistri leave this month. A permanent move to Villarreal has been announced, but news about it has remained muted since.
On the other hand, a loan exit produces the maximum likely results and, according to Fabrizio Romano, 3 donations have already been received.
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Regarding X, the guru said that LA Galaxy, PSV Eindhoven and now Granada have submitted loan proposals for Pellistri.
Pellistri has already spent two spells away from United, at Spanish side Alaves. A third appears to be in play, with Romano adding that talks with Granada are expected to unfold in the coming days.
Pellistri is under contract with United until the summer of 2025. The contract is also a club option for a further year, meaning United have no pressure to make money here and now.
Nonetheless, the club has overseen several loan exits this month that included leaving the club entirely.
Donny van de Beek’s loan to Frankfurt has an option to buy worth €14 million. Hannibal Mejbri’s loan to Sevilla crossed the line on Monday and an option to buy for €20 million.
Pellistri may be the next to leave Old Trafford for this direction and if he were to sign for Granada, he would sign for the club from which Man Utd recently signed a player.
Left-back Alvaro Fernandez is on loan at Granada for the season. However, United terminated the deal six months earlier to negotiate a separate loan deal with Benfica that includes an option to buy worth around €6 million.
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