Manchester United’s striker targets have been changing every other day as they are coming to terms with the reality that their cherished target Antoine Griezmann, is highly unlikely to make a move to Old Trafford this summer.
Atletico Madrid are dead against selling their best player in a season when they are moving to a new stadium, which has stalled the move despite the English club agreeing on personal terms with the player last season. The failure has led the desperate Jose Mourinho to dig through all top striking options across the world, which includes the names of Tottenham Hotspur superstar Harry Kane and Bundesliga goal machine Robert Lewandowski as well.
Getting either of them, however, seems equally difficult as getting Greizmann. Spurs will never sell their best player to a direct rival and Bayern Munich have no plans of parting ways with their prolific forward, who has just signed a new deal. Consequently, Mourinho has been forced to lower his sight to a more gettable option in AS Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe, as per reports.
Though only 18, the French international is touted by many as the next big thing in France. He has scored 10 goals and assisted five times in 20 appearances for the Ligue 1 side so far. His brace against Nantes last Sunday made him the youngest player in the French league in its last 30 years to score 10 goals.
Now, this move is possible because of obvious reasons. Firstly because of his yet-to-acquire stardom and secondly, United have already done business with the French side previously (Anthony Martial for €50million). Although Martial’s move hasn’t been the most successful till now, United might just have another shot and hope this turns out to be a hit.
A centre-forward by nature, Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim has often used him used him on the flanks and he hasn’t disappointed him. Blistering pace blended with ice-cool finishing, Mbappe could be a Premier League great if nurtured properly. Though only 178cm, the youngster is impeccable in his headed attempts, a quality that can be immensely convenient in English football.
His incessant work rate also makes him a cherished attacker in the side, who could gel in well with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jese Lingard, Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the attacking third. Mbappe’s contract with Monaco runs until the summer of 2019 but any offer from Old Trafford would be alluring for the player.
