Ten Hag now targeting Joao Felix alternatives at Old Trafford

Manchester United could look to target an out-an-out centre-forward for Erik ten Hag’s side at Old Trafford rather than Atlético Madrid and Portugal attacker João Félix, journalist Steve Bates has told GiveMeSport.

The Red Devils have been looking to bolster their front line since Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract was terminated in November following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.

Man Utd transfer news – January

According to Relevo in Spain, Manchester United have made a loan bid worth £3.5m to bring Félix to Old Trafford for the remainder of the season in a deal which would see the Red Devils cover the Portugal international’s wages.

However, Atlético are said to be holding out for a loan fee of £11m, with Arsenal and Chelsea also showing an interest in a move for the £113m signing, which could potentially see the Manchester club’s interest come to an end.

Ten Hag was interested in a move for Netherlands and former PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo but the club were beaten to his signature by arch-rivals Liverpool, who parted with between £35.4m-£44.3m to add the attacker to Jürgen Klopp’s squad, as per BBC Sport.

Meanwhile, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport that it is a possibility that the club may not sign a striker this month and are not currently panicking over the situation.

And Bates has been told by his sources that United could look to sign a centre-forward who can act as a focal point for ten Hag’s side, rather than a player in the mould of Félix.

What has Bates said about Man Utd?

When asked about United’s interest in a move for Félix, Bates told GiveMeSport: “He’s not an out-and-out centre-forward. We don’t know exactly ten Hag’s thinking, but my sources are saying that he wants more of a centre-forward, more of a focal point.

“United have got players who can float around, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen are fantastic at that. They’ve got other strikers who can drop off.

“They need a focal point centre-forward, which they haven’t had since Edinson Cavani.”

Who could Man Utd sign in January?

Manchester United have been linked with several out-and-out centre-forward names already this month, with ten Hag looking to secure himself a traditional number nine at Old Trafford.

According to L’Equipe, the Red Devils are preparing a £53m offer for Eintracht Frankfurt and France striker Randal Kolo Muani, but face competition from Bayern Munich in the pursuit of the five-time France international.

Meanwhile, La Republicca reports that United are leading the race to sign Borussia Monchengladbach and Les Bleus centre-forward Marcus Thuram, but are not keen on paying his £13.2m asking price due to the fact the 25-year-old has now entered the final six months of his deal with the Bundesliga club.

For a short-term option, ten Hag could look to sign former Arsenal and Chelsea number nine Olivier Giroud with Foot Mercato stating that the Red Devils have ‘tested the waters’ over a potential move for the 36-year-old, who currently plies his trade in Serie A with AC Milan.

There are multiple options for Manchester United to explore this month but it remains to be seen how keen they are to spend big during the winter transfer window, ahead of what could be an extremely busy summer.

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