Six forwards who could transfer to Man Utd this summer

Updated: 7 Jul 2022 21:17 BST
4 min read

Manchester United are desperate for to bolster their frontline and the situation has only become more dire with the news that top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to leave the club.

The Red Devils have already missed out on the Darwin Nunez to Liverpool while Christopher Nkunku, another top target, is set to remain at RB Leipzig this summer.

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United are short on numbers and quality up top, with Ronaldo, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford the only established senior options available, along with wingers Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga.

With a host of top sides also looking for forwards yet the market seemingly lacking true, world-class strikers, FootballTransfers takes a look at the attacking players that could still make the move to Old Trafford.

Antony (Ajax)

Ajax winger Antony is reportedly United’s top target to add depth to their frontline and the Dutch outfit are holding out for a fee of around €80 million for the Brazil international.

Antony is reportedly keen on a reunion with Erik ten Hag, having grabbed 17 goals and 12 assists in 55 league games during the new United manager’s time at Ajax.

A right winger by trade, the 22-year-old perhaps won’t be the answer to United’s goalscoring issues but his pace and dribbling ability would undoubtedly bring quality to a long-term problem position.

Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)

Former Arsenal youngster Serge Gnabry has come on leaps and bounds since joining Bayern Munich in 2017 and the 26-year-old could be available for transfer having entered the final year of his contract.

The winger has scored 45 goals in 122 games for Bayern as well as netting 20 times in 34 games for the German national side and has already turned down an offer of a new contract.

Bayern could be willing to cash in on him should they receive a fee in excess of €35m but with plenty of interest from a host of Europe’s top clubs, Gnabry may hold out for a team playing Champions League football.

Arnaut Danjuma (Villarreal)

English football fans may be familiar with Danjuma after the ex-Bournemouth forward faced off against United in last season’s Champions League group stages as well as Liverpool in the knockouts.

The 25-year-old has been strongly linked with a €40m move to West Ham but United could hijack any deal for the Dutchman as he is believed to be uncertain over a move to the Hammers.

Danjuma scored 16 goals in all competitions in his first season for Villarreal having joined them for €25m from Bournemouth last summer.

Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona)

United could make a move for Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele as the Frenchman appears to be out of options following the expiry of his contract this summer.

Dembele had previously turned down an extension at Barcelona as well as an approach from Chelsea as he is holding out for wages similar to his previous deal at around €300k per week.

But with Barca seemingly moving onto Raphinha and Chelsea opting for Raheem Sterling, Dembele is a free agent and may be forced into lowering his demands, allowing United to swoop in.

Moussa Diaby (Leverkusen)

Moussa Diaby: Why the Leverkusen winger is an unlikely priority for Madrid and Man Utd — © ProShots

Having grabbed 13 goals and 12 assists for Bayer Leverkusen last season, a move for Moussa Diaby would provide an immediate injection of quality into United’s front line.

The 22-year-old can play on either wing and has strongly been linked with a move to Newcastle, although the Magpies have yet to meet Leverkusen’s €60m asking price.

Should a move for Antony fail, Diaby would be an adequate alternative ahead of the upcoming World Cup, where he could end up featuring for France.

Jonathan David (Lille)

Jonathan David playing for Lille against Wolfsburg in the Champions League — © ProShots

With so few out-and-out strikers available this summer, Lille forward Jonathan David could represent a smart pickup for United.

The Canadian international has scored 28 goals across two seasons for the French side and has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

Any deal for the 22-year-old would likely cost around €50m but his versatility and rapid pace would see him become an instant threat for any side.