Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag will soon complete his first season as manager at Old Trafford, and it can't be denied that the Red Devils have shown flashes of progress under the Dutch tactician.
Although it's evident that a summer overhaul at the club will be needed, especially in the attacking department of the squad,
Erik Ten Hag had to rely heavily on Marcus Rashford's goalscoring form this season but has hinted he is certainly going to address the striker's issues in the next transfer window.
However, takeover drama that has been going on behind the scenes at the club is reportedly set to affect the team's progress in terms of revamping the squad before the August deadline day, as Erik Ten Hag allegedly claimed he isn't certain yet about transfer funds, while rumors suggest he will handle around £100 million for the club's transfer activities this summer.
The Red Devils couldn't sign prioritized transfer targets due to the unavailability of financial funds as a result of the takeover saga and had to improvise provided they were under pressure due to the limited winter transfer window and injury woes.
However, with the club football break fast approaching and a three-month window available for transfer activities, here are three striker wildcards who Man United could acquire and save a lot of money.
Gift Orban
Several teams, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Fulham, sent scouts to observe Gift Orban, a striker for Gent.
At a rate of one goal per 75 minutes, the 20-year-old has scored 19 goals in 19 games so far this season in the Belgian Pro League and Europa Conference League.
The Nigerian Orban, who is having a breakout season, featured for Gent in both halves of their Conference League quarterfinal loss to West Ham in April. With five goals in three play-off games, he also assisted Gent in securing another season in the European competition.
Several elite clubs in Europe have sent scouts to watch him play, but Gent do not need to offload one of their most valuable players, who they only acquired from Stabaek of Norway at the end of January.
Since Orban has a contract that runs through 2027, Gent would only be enticed to sell for a significant profit. It's also known that Orban is content to remain and grow in Belgium for a while before looking to transfer.
According to rumors, Manchester United deployed scouts to observe Gift Orban, a Nigerian striker.
The team will place a high priority on acquiring a high-priced striker who can contribute right away this summer.
But if it's Harry Kane, who will turn 30 in July, Manchester United will need to consider another forward who is younger and can learn from him.
And right now, it's being said that the Red Devils are interested in a quality young forward who fits the bill. Nieuwsblad, a Belgian daily, reports that scouts from Manchester United observed Gift Orban, a striker.
This included a hat-trick in Gent's 4-0 victory over Cercle Brugge in front of United scouts. The 20-year-old merely joined Gent in January and has already had a significant influence on Belgium. He cost Gent $2 million.
The Red Devils should take Orban into consideration after he scored a hat-trick in just 25 minutes during a Europa League match.
He has continued his spectacular scoring streak, during which he scored 19 goals in 24 appearances in Norway before joining Gent.
United should take a risk on young talent like Orban, not as a starter but as a backup.
Marcus Thuram
Marcus Thuram, a France international, has almost certainly decided to leave Borussia Monchengladbach this summer, despite persistent rumors linking him to Manchester United.
The Italian-born 25-year-old's contract with the German team will expire at the end of the current campaign. He joined Monchengladbach in July 2019 after leaving French team Guingamp for a reputed €12 million.
The Frenchman has improved steadily during his time in Germany, scoring a total of 44 goals and grabbing 28 assists in 132 games across all competitions. He can play both through the middle as a striker and on the left side. He frequently served as a reliable strike force in front of goal and, as a result, has been a consistent member of the France team for the past few years.
In 30 games for Monchengladbach this season, Thuram, who turns 26 in August, has tallied 16 goals and six assists, which is his greatest offensive campaign with the team. He is now the third-highest goalscorer in the Bundesliga this season, with 13 of his 16 goals coming in that league.
Thuram has given his strongest indication yet that he will leave the Bundesliga team in quest of a new adventure, even though Monchengladbach have not yet made an official announcement that he will leave at the end of the season.
"For me personally, the past four years have been fantastic," said Thuram, as quoted by German publication Bild. "I came here as a young player, and I've developed tremendously."
"It was outstanding to compete in the Champions League with Borussia and to play our way into the national team through good performances."
"I owe this club a lot, and I will never forget what they have done for me. Borussia will always have a special place in my heart."
United will prioritize signing a striker this coming summer, and Thuram has been frequently mentioned in connection with the club in recent months. The Reds have a long list of potential candidates because they are desperate to bring in a new goal scorer.
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane is rumored to be United boss Erik ten Hag's primary priority, and they are also keeping an eye on Napoli's Victor Osimhen. The Dutchman would want to sign a striker in the mold of Kane or Osimhen who can lead the Reds' assault.
Thuram, though, might be a wildcard candidate that United considers, at the very least as a backup candidate to offer competition for the illustrious, high-profile candidate they hope to recruit. He is expected to be a free transfer, so he would most definitely be a choice to take into account.
Thuram would fit several requirements for the style of play preferred by Ten Hag for United—he's quick, physical, and a good finisher. The Frenchman would work well in his preferred front-three of a quick, energetic trio.
Santiago Gimenez
He is a 22-year-old Mexican who is Feyenoord's season-top scorer. He will not cost much as transfermarkt rates for €9 million; he joined the 2022/2023 Eredivisie Champions from CD Crul Azul for €4 million; and he has contributed 26 goals and assists in all competitions for the Dutch side. However, he is still contracted to them until 2026, so Feyenoord can play hard ball regarding getting United to pay a higher transfer fee for the young striker.
If he joins for such a small amount, it will be all about him proving he is worth wearing Manchester United's shirt and not proving why he is worth £100 million, which is the real reason Manchester United's winger Antony is being targeted by the media.
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