Manchester United will step up their hunt for a new striker this week while their pursuit of Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi is also intensifying.
Louis van Gaal has been busy reshaping his squad with Matteo Darmian, Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin all arriving so far this summer. But the United boss is keen to bring a forward on board following the sale of Robin van Persie to Fenerbache.
It’s been reported the Reds may return to Bayern Munich after signing veteran midfielder Schweinsteiger earlier this week with £35 million-rated (Dh201m) striker Robert Lewandowski a top target.
United have been linked with the Poland international but his agent Cezary Kucharski is adamant his client is not thinking about a move to Old Trafford or anywhere else.
“I think it would have to be a very high offer, definitely higher than €50 million (Dh201m),” he said. “Robert is one of the most valued strikers on the market. Every year he is an even better player and plays at a higher level and that is very important for other clubs because he has credibility and guarantees at least 30 goals a season.”
Lewandowski plundered 25 goals in his debut season with Munich and has struck 119 times in the last four years, leading Kucharski to put a high price on the former Borussia Dortmund forward.
With West Ham expected to make a move for Javier Hernandez, United could be left with just Wayne Rooney and youngster James Wilson as their recognised forwards.
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United, though, have only paid £35 million or more for two players, Juan Mata and Angel Di Maria, in their history. But with Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc admitting the Ligue 1 side are interested in signing Argentina international Di Maria, it could see United switch their attention to Uruguay star Edinson Cavani.
Di Maria has been heavily linked with an Old Trafford exit just a year after his £59.7m (Dh344m) from Real Madrid. Blanc said last week: “Di Maria, he’s good. We have more freedom, but it remains a difficult project for us because we’re not alone in wanting him.”
United could be willing to entertain a deal should it involve the 28-year-old Cavani. Van Gaal is also said to be monitoring Christian Benteke’s position at Aston Villa and will consider taking on rivals Liverpool in the race for the Belgium international.
Liverpool, though unwilling to meet the £32.5m (Dh186m) buyout clause in Benteke’s contract, remain favourites to sign the 24-year-old, who has made clear his determination to leave Villa Park this summer.
However, United could find better fortune in their quest to sign a centre-back with Otamendi threatening to go on strike, according to Spanish paper Marca.
The 27-year-old is not due back to Valencia training until July 27 after an extended break following the conclusion of the Copa America with Argentina but wants to push through a move to United before then.
Sergio Ramos had been the top target but it appears that he may have resolved his issues with Real Madrid, having travelled to Australia for pre-season and being named club captain after the departure of Iker Casillas.
Madrid are reluctant to sell and in turn, United say they will not allow David de Gea to go to the Bernabeu unless a deal for Ramos can be brokered.
Otamendi is also on Madrid’s list should Ramos go but Los Che are playing hardball and they will keep the defender unless a club activates his £35m (Dh201m) release clause.
