Manchester United are actively searching for a new striker after the untimely and unpleasant departure of Cristiano Ronaldo a couple of months ago. The January market has arrived at the right time for the Red Devils which provides them an opportunity to sign a replacement of the 37-year-old, who was their topscorer with 24 goals last season. However, manager Erik ten Hag made it clear that it has to be the “right player” who comes in through the winter market.
And it seems the club have found their ‘right player’ in Borussia Monchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram. the 25-year-old has taken the Bundesliga by storm this season, and is already on the radars of United, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. The trio headed the race to sign Thuram this month, but as the latest reports from La Republicca tells, Manchester United are emerging as the sole favourites to land the striker.
Thuram could arrive at Manchester United at a bargain price
Marcus Thuram has been on the wishlist of many of the top clubs in recent years after his consistent output for M’gladbach since joining them back in 2019. However, there wasn’t anything concrete for the striker who now looks set for a move abroad. Bayern Munich were one of the early suitors who wanted to sign him in the summer as the replacement of Robert Lewandowski who left for Barcelona.
But the price tag placed upon him by Gladbach was too much for the Bavarians to pay, who rather decided to trust already available Choupo-Moting and went for 17-year-old Mathys Tel who cost them a mere €20m. Meanwhile, Italian giants Inter Milan and Manchester United then joined the race to acquire the services of the French striker, whose market just got inflated after impressive displays at the World Cup where he collected two assists on five games, with one of those in the final against Argentina.
Gladbach on the other hand find themselves in a difficult position now that the youngster’s contract expires at the end of this season. As a result, the club is ready to let him go for only as much as €15m in the winter market, rather than let him leave for free in the summer market. And Manchester United are now the favourites to win this lottery as the player himself is keen on a move to Old Trafford.
With Bayern Munich set to be inactive this month and Inter struggling to balance their financial books, United are racing ahead to land Thuram in the coming weeks. The Red Devils have no problem in dishing out the €15m for the striker, who has netted 10 goals in 15 Bundesliga games so far this season. While he sits second on the goalscoring charts, Thuram has the most shots on target [30] and the highest xG [9.5] in the league.
The France forward could now move on to a new challenge after repeatedly rejecting to extend his stay at the German outfit. United is reportedly his preferred destination and is tipped to do well at the club since his playing style evidently falls in line with the kind of player Ten Hag is yearning for. Thuram has made a significant contribution throughout his four-and-a-half-years at Gladbach, netting 41 goals and 26 assists in 119 games.