Manchester United remain in the hunt for a new striker, with the club's forward options severely depleted over the past two seasons.
United began the 2021-22 season with three recognised strikers, but Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo have since left, and the brief (disastrous) spell with Wout Weghorst up front has come to a swift end with the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.
Anthony Martial has proven himself to be unreliable ever since his 17 goal season in 2019-20, playing only 25% of United's total minutes last season, and it would not be a surprise to see the Frenchman depart the club this summer.
That would leave Erik Ten Hag without a recognised striker in the squad, leading many to conclude he would make a move for Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, one of the most sure-fire sources of goals in European football.
The signing of Kane now appears unlikely to go through, with Spurs owner Daniel Levy expected to draw out any transfer negotiations, despite Kane's contract running out next summer.
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Manchester United: Club exploring alternatives to Harry Kane
Laurie Whitwell of the Athletic reported on Saturday that United have now begun to look elsewhere, as it becomes clear than Daniel Levy and Tottenham Hotspur will hold firm against giving Kane up to Premier League rivals.
Harry Kane in Champions League action for Tottenham Hotspur (Photo: Shutterstock)
The other big-name option in Europe, Kylian Mbappé, is seen as unattainable despite being in the same boat as Kane with a contract expiring next summer, and it is expected that he will sign for Real Madrid if he does indeed depart PSG.
Other names which have been mentioned in relation to Manchester United include Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund. The Athletic's report suggests that United remain interested in both men, but that the asking price for both has significantly increased in recent weeks - just as has occurred with Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos.
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Whitwell's report mentions a new name with Premier League experience, with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins now linked with a move to Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old Englishman has gone from strength to strength since signing for Villa in 2020, scoring 11 Premier League goals in each of his first two seasons before scoring 15 in 37 last season, as Villa secured European football with a seventh-placed finish.
Watkins' Premier League goalscoring figures are a marked improvement on what Anthony Martial has offered in the same period of time, and for an inferior team and, if Manchester United could agree a reasonable fee for the striker, he would be a smart addition to their squad.
Watkins may not strike fans as the level of upgrade that had initially been hoped for with the links for Harry Kane but, for the right fee, could prove to be an astute piece of business which would allow United to invest more heavily in other crucial areas.
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