Man Utd want cheap January deal with the Red Devils ‘pushing’ for Bundesliga striker
Man Utd are keen to bring Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to the club in January as they continue to look for a long-term solution, according to reports.
The Red Devils are on the lookout for a new striker in the January transfer window after Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo left the club in November.
Ronaldo gave a controversial interview to Piers Morgan, in which he criticised the club, Erik ten Hag, senior executives, former players and more.
That saw Man Utd agree to terminate his contract, with the 37-year-old joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr this month after revealing his work in Europe is now done.
Man Utd have been doing well since the Premier League restart with three wins out of three against Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Bournemouth.
Marcus Rashford has scored three goals in three and Anthony Martial has chipped in with one too but Ten Hag is hoping he doesn’t have to rely on just two strikers for the rest of the season.
There have been rumours that Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos, Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic and others could arrive in huge moves but other reports have poured cold water on the Red Devils doing any big business in January.
With the Glazers looking to sell up as soon as possible, some reports have claimed Ten Hag will not be given money for permanent transfers, instead he will have to use the loan market to improve his side.
And former Stoke City striker Choupo-Moting could be one option with Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg insisting that Man Utd are ‘still pushing’ to sign the Cameroon international in the January transfer window.
It is understood that Choupo-Moting recently had his ‘first meeting about a new contract’ with the Bayern Munich hierarchy with the talks described as ‘good’ but Plettenberg says there will be ‘no fast decision’.
If he signs a new contract, Choupo-Moting is certain that he ‘doesn’t want to be the backup next season’ with the 33-year-old scoring an impressive 11 goals in 16 appearances for Bayern this term.
With his contract up in the summer and the striker being well into his 30s, Man Utd will be confident of getting a cheap deal for the striker if they can convince him to leave Munich.
Man Utd boss Ten Hag says that “belief is growing” in his squad after a convincing 3-0 win over Bournemouth earlier this week.
“That’s a big step,” Ten Hag said. “We have to go game to game, get the progress.
“Belief is growing and that’s a good sign, it’s good to have that feeling but we have to understand and be able to give 100 per cent in every game – 100 per cent energy, 100 per cent focus, 100 per cent playing as a team.
“If you keep that philosophy it’s possible but we have to go game to game and don’t think too far ahead. It’s now January so it’s not even half a season we are talking about.”
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