Manchester United transfer news: Urgent search for a striker with Thomas Muller and Harry Kane targeted as Robin van Persie leaves
Club target Bayern Munich's Thomas Müller and Tottenham's Harry Kane
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Manchester United’s pursuit of a new striker has become an urgent priority, with Robin van Persie on the brink of a £4.7m move to the Turkish club Fenerbahce, after Louis van Gaal told the striker that he would be on the margins of the club next season.
The Netherlands forward is thought to be travelling to Turkey as early as this weekend to wrap up a four-year deal, which Fenerbahce announced on their website. That leaves United with only James Wilson, who remains unproven, and Wayne Rooney, whose injury record means he cannot be depended upon.
Bayern Munich are thought to be reluctant to sell Thomas Müller. Van Gaal is enthusiastic about the striker, whom he helped to develop when manager of the German club, although it may take a sum of at least £60m to secure Müller’s services. The player admitted last week he was flattered by United’s interest in him.
It is thought he could be tempted to join them if United – who will present Memphis Depay as their player in a press conference at Old Trafford on Friday – are willing to meet his wage demands. The loss of Van Persie’s £200,000-a-week wages removes a major burden for United.
The club also have an interest in Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, though as yet both the player and the north London club have shown no willingness to do business.
United have allowed Radamel Falcao to pursue a new loan deal with Chelsea and there is minimal prospect of Javier Hernandez, who has a broken collarbone, renewing a United career after his return from loan at Real Madrid.
Reports in Spain have suggested that Real Madrid they will not pursue the Valencia centre-back Nicolas Otamendi because United have secured an agreement for the Argentine. That could be Madrid’s choreographed way of attempting to encourage United to call off their pursuit of Sergio Ramos.
But United want Ramos – and are also close to completing the £13m signing of Italian international Matteo Darmian from Torino. Further moves are in the pipeline for Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton now that Bastian Schweinsteiger is expected to stay with Bayern.
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