Man Utd on alert as Guardiola fancies Ten Hag’s £75m striker target

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Manchester United face a potential blow with Pep Guardiola and Manchester City showing an interest in RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda.

There probably aren’t many clubs around Europe who aren’t in the market for a new striker.

Goals win prizes and top strikers – even just promising strikers who need to develop – cost huge sums.

United found that over the summer, paying a hefty sum to bring Rasmus Hojlund to Old Trafford.

Hojlund needs support though and that means United will have to dig deep to sign another striker in 2024, whether that’s in January or in the summer.

Manchester City join race for Manchester United target Lois Openda

The Mirror reported over the weekend that United have made RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda a ‘serious target’.

It was suggested that United had been impressed with Openda during scouting missions, including a game against Manchester City last month.

Openda scored twice at the Etihad Stadium, racing clear of the City defence to hit a brace in RB Leipzig’s 3-2 defeat.

The Belgian is now valued at around £75million but United could now face another hurdle.

TEAMtalk report that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has taken a particular liking Openda after his recent display at the Etihad.

Guardiola may well fancy bringing Openda to City, potentially viewing him as a striker to compete with Erling Haaland whilst allowing Julian Alvarez to play as a number 10.

Openda is unlikely to move in January but if he continues to impress for RB Leipzig, don’t be surprised to see City and Guardiola challenge United.

Ten Hag has seen Openda quality first-hand

We know that Erik ten Hag likes to sign players he knows well.

Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Andre Onana and Sofyan Amrabat all worked with Ten Hag at previous clubs and we highlighted a connection to Openda earlier this week.

Ten Hag’s final game in charge of Ajax before heading to United in 2022 ended in a 2-2 draw at Vitesse Arnhem.

The scorer of both Vitesse goals that day was Openda, making sure Ten Hag didn’t sign off with a win.

Openda may have stuck in Ten Hag’s mind from that day, sparking United’s interest after continuing to shine for RC Lens and now RB Leipzig.

Guardiola’s admiration leaves United with a potential battle but Ten Hag could add a real goal threat by bringing Openda to Old Trafford.