Only £65 million of Manchester United’s transfer budget is still available, and the club faces an impossible challenge if they want to buy a top-tier striker.
Mason Mount’s initial £55 million transfer to the Red Devils, which also includes a $5 million add-on for club accomplishments, is about to be finalized.
With their takeover saga ongoing in the background, United’s budget is somewhat tight in the summer, and it is thought that limited spending may come back to bother them in addition to their up-front issues.
Manchester Evening News reports that Old Trafford officials now only have £65 million to spend on a new striker, which the publication claims is ‘nowhere near enough’ to satisfy manager Erik ten Hag.
According to the article, there is currently a limited time to sign new players before the start of the Premier League season, even though the transaction between Man United and Chelsea for Mount was quick in compared to some of the drawn-out transfers from last summer.
Although there is no way Tottenham would ever contemplate an offer as low as £65 million, with a valuation of £100 million closer to predictions, Harry Kane was believed to be ten Hag’s first target up front.
After helping Napoli win the Serie A, Victor Osimhen has become a hot target for many teams, but the Italian champions have placed a £150 million price tag on their star player, well above United’s budget.
Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt is also expected to leave this summer and was reportedly on United’s radar, but the German club values the Frenchman at £85 million.
Rasmus Hojlund, another player who has been widely linked to Old Trafford this summer, comes with an £86 million price tag after a successful season with Atalanta of Italy.
The most practical alternative would be Goncalo Ramos of Benfica, who, according to rumors in Portugal, could be had for about £70 million this summer.
Although ten Hag’s side may increase its funds by selling off assets, there is little hint of any upcoming sales that are expected to materially increase United’s finances.
Selling Anthony Martial, who has fallen short of expectations in the No. 9 position, scoring just 17 goals over the last three seasons, may net them up to £30 million.
United wants a striker to be a part of their plans for the three friendlies they have against Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, and Arsenal in North America so they have time to get to know the rest of the team before competitive matches.
Casemiro was only acquired by United from Casemiro last season after their season had gotten off to the worst possible start, and Anthony was only acquired from Ajax on deadline day.
They are also having to deal with their goalkeeper situation as well, with David de Gea set to leave at the end of his contract, and Dean Henderson likely to be sold to Nottingham Forest.
Ten Hag even moved to block Tom Heaton’s move to Luton Town in a bid to ensure the club retain the services of fit senior goalkeepers until a replacement can be found.