Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted (h/t Metro) this past week that if the Red Devils were to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, they would buy a striker. The Red Devils did not sign a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who joined Inter Milan in the summer transfer window, and the English side have subsequently struggled for goals.
Who could Solskjaer sign? Let’s take a look at 5 players he should target in January
Andrea Belotti
Italian striker Andrea Belotti’s name may not necessarily be on the lips of every Manchester United fan but he is a striker that has scored consistently over the last few seasons and should be looked at closely.
Belotti has flourished at Torino, scoring 81 goals in 160 games for the Italian side and is a player who is strong and quick, with a very good work-rate, that will impress Manchester United fans. He has got off to a good start this season as well, scoring 11 goals in 12 appearances in all competitions.
Timo Werner
German striker Timo Werner took the Bundesliga by storm in his debut season at the club in 2016-17, scoring 21 goals in the league. The 23-year-old striker has scored consistently since then, racking up 68 goals in 119 appearances for RB Leipzig, including 7 in 5 games this season.
The pacey forward has all the attributes to be a top striker in the Premier League and for Manchester United. He revealed some time last year that he would love to play in the Premier League and for Manchester United, which could make it easier to convince him to join the club.
Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala was linked (h/t Dailymail) throughout the summer with a move to Manchester United, but the deal failed to materialise. The Red Devils could use a player of Dybala’s calibre in their attacking line-up. The Argentinian may not operate at full capacity as the sole striker but he could play in and around the main striker, drifting into various positions and causing havoc in the opposition’s box.
He may no longer have regular opportunities at Juventus which could prompt him to leave the Italian club if a desperate United agree to cough up a substantial amount of transfer fee and wages.
Callum Wilson
Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson could be a shrewd signing by Manchester United as the England international has Premier League experience and has also scored and assisted several goals in the last few seasons.
His fluent movement and prowess in front of goal could be a good fit around the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who also like to drift from central areas. Wilson has pace to burn and also links up well with his teammates and his potential partnership with Rashford could be a long-term and an explosive one.
Moussa Dembele
French striker Moussa Dembélé had a fantastic first season with Lyon last year, scoring 20 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions, and he has continued his good form this season as well, scoring 5 goals in 4 appearances.
The 23-year-old striker is pacey and is a very good finisher who comes alive in and around the penalty box. He has prior experience of playing in England, having been a part of Fulham’s squad for three seasons and given his continued links (h/t Metro) with Manchester United, could possibly already be on the radar of Ed Woodward.