Manchester United’s winter transfer window finished without the striker Ruben Amorim wanted, but the summer presents a fresh opportunity.
With Patrick Dorgu solving the left wing-back problem, now the striker issue is Manchester United’s biggest concern.
Neither Joshua Zirkzee nor Rasmus Hojlund have made the position their own, with goals proving hard to come by for Ruben Amorim.
The United head coach even resorted to using Kobbie Mainoo up front, which didn’t fill anyone with confidence.
Due to this, United looked set to compete for a striker on deadline day – with Mathys Tel the option which looked likeliest.
Mathys Tel could still sign for Manchester United
As the hours counted down on deadline day, Tel to Manchester United looked nailed on.
Instead, Tel signed for Spurs on loan and has already made his debut during the London side’s 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool
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United didn’t move for Tel due to Bayern Munich’s demands, which included a hefty sell-on clause and also a seeming refusal to put a buy-option on the deal (which Spurs managed to get although now it appears Tel might not be wiling to join permanently).
“There were also talks with Manchester United who were interested in Mathys Tel’s signature. Tel was certainly open to the move, but United weren’t prepared to pay the loan fee Bayern Munich were demanding at the time,” Christian Falk told CaughtOffside.
“So, you see, there was a huge difference to the offer Tottenham came to the table with.”
Falk added that Tel would like to join United if handed the chance to do so.
“Whether Tel stays with Bayern beyond the summer or moves on, it’s entirely up to him. If he can make the step to United, he would like to do it. If he sees a chance at Bayern Munich, perhaps he would also stay, but I think it’s hard for him, as he didn’t make it under Vincent Kompany.
“So, I think if he is performing very well, he will stay in the Premier League. If he doesn’t, he has to go back to Bayern and start again.”
Ruben Amorim will likely favour alternatives this summer
A move for Tel in the summer would be interesting especially if he performs in England, however with spending expected to be freer for United, Amorim will likely have other players he is name dropping to Jason Wilcox.
The name we are convinced United will make a move for is Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres – who has been linked with following Amorim to Old Trafford.
Gyokeres will cost just £63m in the summer with Amorim in pole position. The Swedish striker is keen on joining United.
So Tel’s plan to attempt a summer move to United could back-fire, with plenty of better options open to Ineos this summer – opposed to January in which Tel was more an opportunity than anything else.