Tottenham star Harry Kane is part of a three-player shortlist drawn up by Manchester United as they look for a long-term Cristiano Ronaldo replacement, according to new reports.
Ronaldo officially left United by mutual agreement during the World Cup, and became a free agent.
He has since signed for Saudi Arabia club Al Nassr, becoming the highest-paid player in world football in the process.
Erik ten Hag’s side, meanwhile, are yet to recruit a replacement for the 37-year-old. They have, however, been linked with a loan move for Burnley striker Wout Weghorst, who is currently at Besiktas.
According to the Manchester Evening News, United have made an offer to Burnley for Weghorst, which has been passed on to the Turkish giants. That is because a break clause does not exist in his loan contract.
The offer is said to have been rejected by Besiktas. The club then released a statement, claiming reports that United can pay £2.2 million to terminate his current loan deal are false.
If the Netherlands international does move to Old Trafford, it is unclear whether United would want to make any deal permanent at the end of the current campaign.
And new reports suggest they have a separate long-term shortlist of players in mind to replace Ronaldo.
United ‘draw up three-striker shortlist’
ESPN have reported that, as per sources, Kane is on United’s radar as a potential signing – but only if he doesn’t sign a new contract at Tottenham.
The 29-year-old is yet to commit to a new deal at Tottenham, with his current contract expiring in the summer of 2024.
Last week, Football Insider claimed that Spurs have yet to open talks with their star striker, and also say that Kane will follow the development of talks between the club and manager Antonio Conte over a new deal for the Italian.
Furthermore, ESPN claim that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is also on the priority list at United. The Nigeria international has scored 11 goals in 16 appearances in all competitions this season.
Reports from Italian outlet Tuttosport suggested in October that Napoli would ask for £100 million to allow their star striker to leave the club, a fee which would break the Red Devils’ transfer record.
The third striker on the shortlist is said to be RB Salzburg star Benjamin Sesko. This deal would be more difficult to complete in the short-term, however, as the 19-year-old Slovenian wonderkid has agreed to join RB Leipzig from this summer.
However, it is claimed that a big bid from another club may be able to buy Leipzig out of their agreement.
