Manchester United are reportedly preparing to bring a new centre-forward to Old Trafford during this summer's transfer window.
The Red Devils re-signed Cristiano Ronaldo last year, and the Portugal international has allegedly decided to remain with the club for another season despite the recent speculation surrounding his future.
Edinson Cavani will leave Old Trafford on a free transfer at the end of June, though, and there remains uncertainty surrounding the futures of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
As a result, the 20-time English champions have reportedly decided to enter the market for a new striker, and a number of players have been linked with switches to the club in recent weeks.
With that in mind, Sports Mole picks out five players that Man United could realistically target in the upcoming market, as the club bid to return to the top of English football once again.
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
The speculation surrounding Harry Kane's future is again gathering pace, with the England captain believed to be prepared to once again push for a move away from Tottenham this summer.
Kane has been back to his best in recent weeks after a tough start to the season, scoring 22 times and registering six assists in 41 appearances at club level during the 2021-22 campaign.
There have been suggestions that £100m could be enough to tempt Tottenham into selling the 28-year-old, who only has two years left to run on his contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Kane would bring with him a guarantee of goals, and it is not impossible to imagine the Englishman - strongly linked with Manchester City last summer - lining up in the red of Man United next term.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski's contract at Bayern is due to expire in June 2023, and the Poland international will allegedly push for a move away from Allianz Arena this summer if he does not sign a fresh deal in the coming weeks.
The 33-year-old would represent more of a short-term option for Man United, but he has again been in tremendous form this season, scoring 45 goals and registering four assists in 37 appearances, and he would certainly be a statement signing for the 20-time English champions.
Barcelona are also said to be keeping a close eye on the situation surrounding the forward, who is believed to be keen to play in the Premier League before the end of his career.
Darwin Nunez (Benfica)
Darwin Nunez has enjoyed a strong campaign for Benfica, scoring 26 times and registering two assists in 33 appearances, and he is widely expected to leave his Portuguese club this summer.
At 22, the Uruguay international would represent a long-term option for Man United, and he would be cheaper than both Kane and Lewandowski, with Benfica said to be looking for a fee in the region of £69m.
A number of other clubs, including Arsenal and Tottenham, are believed to be lining up summer moves for the South American, meaning that the Red Devils would surely have to prioritise his signing sooner rather than later if they have identified him as the ideal summer acquisition.
Erling Braut Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Man United were once thought to be one of the leading contenders for Erling Braut Haaland, who will leave Borussia Dortmund this summer due to a £67m release clause in his contract.
Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid are all now believed to be ahead of the Red Devils in the race for the Norway international, but it is not impossible to see him at Old Trafford next season.
Haaland has had his injury problems during the 2021-22 campaign but has again showed his incredible quality by scoring 23 goals and registering six assists in 23 appearances in all competitions.
Man United would definitely need Champions League football next season to sign the 21-year-old, but they are not out of the running for his signature despite currently being behind in the race.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Lautaro Martinez's future is being called into question once again despite the fact that the Argentina international signed a new contract at San Siro last October.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed another productive campaign for Inter, scoring 16 times and registering two assists in 39 appearances in all competitions, including 14 goals in 27 Serie A outings.
Inter would reportedly be prepared to sell the South American for £59m this summer, with the Serie A giants looking to replace him with Paulo Dybala on a free transfer from Juventus.
Martinez is also thought to be the subject of interest from a number of other leading European clubs, but Man United certainly have the financial power and standing to bring the centre-forward to Old Trafford, and he would perhaps be the best value for money on this five-man shortlist.
body check tags ::
