Signing a new striker this summer is proving more difficult than expected for Manchester United, with slim pickings currently available.
Heading into the transfer window, it looked all but certain that Manchester United would be signing a new number nine.
This was after a season in which Rasmus Hojlund regressed significantly, scoring just 10 goals in all competitions, but more concerningly, struggling with his all-around performances.
Hojlund was unveiled in front of Old Trafford almost two years ago, yet in this time, he has gone from hot prospect to big problem. This summer, Inter Milan has been linked with signing Hojlund, although no progress has been made just yet.
Despite this, United staff are reluctant to let Hojlund leave, with the expectation that he will eventually come good. This has all complicated the summer transfer window, as without Hojlund being sold, there aren’t funds to spend £60m or more on a striker.
Due to this, budget options are instead being considered.
Manchester United could soon find that Dusan Vlahovic is a free agent option
Over the past week, the striker options available to United in the transfer market have dropped in quality. This has seen talk around United being offered three free agents in the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Callum Wilson, and Jamie Vardy.
None of these three would excite supporters or really improve United up front.
However, with a slender budget, United may have to consider free options. But according to Gianluca Di Marzio, now Dusan Vlahovic may end up a free agent this summer.
The Italian journalist claims that Juventus are set to offer contract termination to Vlahovic’s agents, which would see the Serbian receive a pay-off to help Bianconeri avoid paying the £315,000-a-week wage.
This would see Vlahovic’s contract terminated 12 months before the original expiry date.
Additionally, Give Me Sport has reported that Vlahovic is desperate to test himself in the Premier League and remains hopeful that United will make a move to sign him this summer.
Vlahovic is looking for a wage of £200,000-a-week at his next club, representing a serious drop in demands, proving his desire to play football.
Dusan Vlahovic was once expected to become world-class
Despite being just 25, Vlahovic has already been written off by many, but it is clear that he still has the ability and quality that could see him live up to his high potential.
Vlahovic was once billed as the ‘best of his generation’, and there is still plenty of time for him to reach that, with his famed injury record not as concerning as widely speculated.
United could offer Vlahovic a conditional deal dependent on appearances, with additional years and pay rises being triggered based on how he fares for the club.
This would eliminate all risk, but would give Amorim a striker capable of playing the role of Viktor Gyokeres, and who can also take the weight off Hojlund.
It would be a bad move if United had to pay a fee, but for free and with conditional wages, Ineos might just stumble across the bargain of the summer.
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