Incoming boss Erik ten Hag is considering making a move for striker Sebastien Haller with a deal for appearing unlikely, according to reports.
Signing a new frontman is one of the top transfer priorities for the Red Devils this summer, with the side having lacked firepower and depth up top this season – and the situation is only likely to get worse.
Edinson Cavani, who has only started six Premier League games, is leaving when his contract expires, Anthony Martial could be offloaded permanently after his loan at Sevilla ends and remains suspended.
Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, has only netted four times in 24 league outings while Cristiano Ronaldo has often faced criticism for his lack of work rate and pressing from the front despite leading the club’s scoring charts.
United had been linked with a move for Tottenham striker Kane to overhaul their frontline, but claim they will be priced out of a move and Ten Hag is instead eyeing a reunion with Haller.
The Ivory Coast international moved to Amsterdam in January 2021 after struggling at West Ham, with David Moyes having preferred Michail Antonio over the club’s £45million record signing.
After mainly warming the bench and netting just 14 goals in 54 appearances for the Hammers he was sold to Ajax for just £18.8m – a massive loss on the fee they had paid just 18 months earlier.
Haller, who previously played in the Eredivisie with Utrecht, has been prolific ever since returning to the Netherlands, netting 31 goals in 46 league appearances and also impressing enormously in the Champions League.
The 27-year-old become only the second player to net in all six group matches as Ajax enjoyed a 100% record this season, also becoming the fastest player to reach 10 goals in the competition.
Whereas Tottenham would demand in excess of £100m for Kane, a fee of around £35m would be enough to land Haller given that he only has two years left on his contract.
Ten Hag obviously knows Haller very well and the two have a good relationship even though the Ajax boss made the surprise decision to bench his topscorer for the Dutch Cup final earlier this month against PSV, which they lost 2-1.
Haller is not the only Ajax player who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with right winger Antony and versatile young defender Jurrien Timber also on Ten Hag’s wish list.
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