Manchester United have reportedly made initial enquiries about signing Lyon striker Moussa Dembele in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are looking to sign a new forward when the transfer window reopens, after interim manager Ralf Rangnick advised the club to invest in a young striker. Although a new manager is yet to be appointed, the Mancunian club have started listing down potential summer targets.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are interested in Lyon’s Moussa Dembele, who is among a number of options in the club’s potential list of strikers. The French striker’s current deal runs out in 2023, meaning Lyon risk losing him on a free transfer next year if they fail to agree on fresh terms.
Dembele, 25, enjoyed two fruitful seasons with Celtic before signing for Lyon in the summer of 2018. The centre-forward has racked up 54 goals in his 130 appearances for Lyon so far, including nine in 22 games this season. The Frenchman also had a loan spell at Atletico Madrid last season, but injuries and a bout of Covid-19 limited him to just seven appearances.
As he enters the final year of his contract, Dembele may be available for a paltry £25million if Lyon decide to cash in on him at the end of the season, the report adds.
Moussa Dembele to Manchester United—Good move?
Manchester United are set to undergo some radical changes this summer, with not only Ralf Rangnick expected to make way for a permanent manager but quite a few first-team players likely to move on. One of the important positions that needs reinforcing is the attack.
Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard are into the final few months of their contracts and look increasingly less likely to continue their stays at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo could also leave if the Red Devils fail to qualify for the Champions League next season, while Marcus Rashford is considering his future following a lack of regular first-team opportunities this term.
Anthony Martial is due to return to Manchester after his loan spell with Sevilla expires at the end of the season, and with the Frenchman also facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford, signing a striker has become a priority for the club. Moussa Dembele, in that regard, is a viable target for Man United.
Dembele has scored plenty of goals for both Celtic and Lyon combined in the last five years, and his reliability, age, and quality in front of goal would richly benefit Man United in the short, as well as the long run. Having played in the Championship with Fulham, he can quickly adjust to the rigours of English football and make an instant impact at Old Trafford.
The former France under-21 international can score all kinds of goals and could become a potent goal threat for them, if he decides to move to Old Trafford. He could come in the Man United set up as a replacement for Cavani, whilst adding much-needed competition within the squad.
At 25, Moussa Dembele is in the right age profile to make the jump from Lyon to one of the biggest clubs in the world in Man United. While his signing makes sense, the Red Devils would need more than just Dembele in the forward line to challenge for trophies under the new manager next season.
