Despite turning things around initially, Ole Gunnar Solskjær has failed to maintain the momentum as the Manchester United boss following a string of disappointing outcomes. The recent results have jeopardised their ‘top four’ hopes, but the Norwegian insists that the club still hold the pulling power in the transfer market irrespective of the uncertainty over their Champions League future.
However, a mass exodus is being predicted in the post-season including a few high-profile names. Romelu Lukaku is one of those who has fallen out of favour since Solskjær’s appointment and is now considering his future (as claimed by the Manchester Evening News) to attain a more significant role high up the pitch.
According to the reliable Get Football French News, via L’Equipe, the Red Devils are plotting a swoop for Lyon centre-forward Moussa Dembele who has been stupendous this term having netted 18 goals across all competitions since completing a €22m summer move from Celtic. The former Fulham striking sensation flourished at Parkhead under Brendan Rodgers and exhibited his expertise upfront while representing his nation, France, in several youth ranks.
United, meanwhile, would require a ‘number 9’ to complement Marcus Rashford who is lacking support while spearheading their attack. Dembele, 22, is yet to work on a few aspects of his game, but his link-up play, goal-poaching instinct along with strong passing and dribbling attributes should help him to fit in Solskjær’s free-flowing brand of football.
The club are in desperate need of splashing the cash this summer to reconstruct the backbone of their underperforming squad. Superstars like Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku have failed miserably while David De Gea and Anthony Martial, the other high-profile individuals, have been far from convincing barring a few occasions. Several exits are also on the cards amid contract standoffs and the transition Manchester United are currently undergoing requires sensible business deals over a spending splurge.
The Frenchman, however, has many other suitors who are monitoring his progress and keen on roping him in despite a whopping £43m valuation (as claimed by The Sun). Atletico Madrid, as well as league counterparts Arsenal, have joined the race to secure his services. However, the player’s contract at Lyon until 2023 has put president Jean-Michel Aulas (known as a notorious negotiator) in the driver’s seat.
Yet the Red Devils should step up their chase to sign Dembele – someone who has showcased his excellence in several leagues at such an early stage of his career.
