Fabrizio Romano: Man United 'offered' wildcard signing as 'talks advancing' for dream target to join rival
Man Utd will look to sign a new striker in the summer transfer window and they have a wildcard option.
Manchester United will head back to the drawing board as they look to add a striker to their squad in the summer transfer window. Ruben Amorim wants to refresh his attacking options ahead of the new season and significantly improve a forward line that managed just 44 goals in the Premier League during the last campaign.
United will welcome Matheus Cunha when they return to Carrington for initial pre-season tests on Monday morning, while talks are ongoing over a potential deal for Brentford ace Bryan Mbeumo. Amorim wants to sign players who are already proven in the Premier League and the attacking pair managed 35 goals between themselves last season.
Even with those proposed additions, Amorim would also like to sign a striker but preferred target Liam Delap opted to sign for Chelsea and his dream target Viktor Gyokeres looks set to join Arsenal. United are keeping their options open in attack and a wildcard free agent could appeal to them now.
United offered Calvert-Lewin
Manchester United will be able to fund the transfers of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from their initial summer budget, but a striker signing will hinge on player sales. It was revealed last week, five players have informed United they would like to explore opportunities elsewhere this summer and they will not be required back at Carrington this week.
It means there is a huge element of uncertainty surrounding striker targets, given United do not know how much money they will have to spend on one until they manage to shift some of their unwanted stars. At the moment in time, Victor Osimhen is viewed as an unlikely option due to his huge wage demands and a move for Hugo Ekitike won't be entertained unless Eintracht Frankfurt show willingness to drop their valuation.
Ruben Amorim will consider any opportunity that is presented to him and it is understood United have been offered the chance to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin after his release from Everton. The 28-year-old is a free agent after he left Goodison Park at the end of the season and it is no surprise to hear he would be open to an Old Trafford move.
Calvert-Lewin has netted 57 Premier League goals during his career and his experience in the English top-flight could appeal to Amorim as he looks to improve the physicality of his side with players proven in the competition. Writing in his latest GIVEMESPORT newsletter, Fabrizio Romano confirmed the possibility of the wildcard signing: "He’s been offered to Manchester United as well as to many other clubs, but there are no more updates at the moment."
The latest update comes after a weekend in which Viktor Gyokeres dominated the transfer gossip, with a move to Arsenal now understood to be close. In a string of social media updates on the dream striker signing, Romano wrote: “The agreement between Viktor Gyökeres and Arsenal on personal terms is valid until June 2030, five years. Viktor has been clear with Sporting as reported: only Arsenal, as soon as possible. Club to club talks advancing, underway to get it done.”