Manchester United should target perfect £51m Viktor Gyokeres alternative nobody is talking about

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It is no secret Manchester United are in the market for a new forward this summer.

Ruben Amorim has spoken publicly about the need to sharpen an attack that scored the fifth fewest number of goals in the Premier League last term.

And moves for attacking midfield pair Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who scored 37 goals between them last season, is a clear sign that United are prioritising improving that side of their game this summer.

But the lack of a proven goalscorer up front remains glaring and it is clear United need an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who managed just seven goals between them in the Premier League last term.

United failed in a move for Ipswich Town's 12-goal forward Liam Delap, who opted to join Chelsea, and they have been linked with big money moves for Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Eintracht Frankfurt goalscorer Hugo Ekitike.

All the aforementioned forwards will reportedly cost in the region of £60-80million. While it is a major priority for United to recruit the right forward this summer, it will take a big chunk out of their budget.

So when looking around at potentially cheaper alternatives with proven goalscoring records, it is perhaps surprising how little noise is being made about Italian international forward Mateo Retegui this summer.

The 26-year-old joined Atalanta from fellow Italian side Genoa last summer and scored 25 Serie A goals in his first season at the club.

It saw him win the Serie A Golden Boot award, finishing six goals clear of Fiorentina forward Moise Kean in second place, and also saw him finish sixth in the European Golden Shoe race.

Only Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe, Gyokeres, Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah, Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski and England captain Harry Kane finished ahead of Retegui in European football's goalscoring charts last season.

What's more, he is said to be valued at around £51million, making him cheaper than the forwards United have been linked with - despite him having three years remaining on his current deal in Bergamo.

He thrived under the management of Gian Piero Gasperini last season, who hailed his forward as 'extraordinary'.

"Retegui has had an extraordinary season," Gasperini said.

"He has scored with his right foot, his left, his head, thanks also to the contribution of the team. His goals have been decisive for our campaign."

Atalanta will be playing Champions League football again next season but Gasperini, who won the Europa League with the club last year, has left his role as manager.

New manager Ivan Juric will be desperate to keep Retegui at the club but it could be the right time to try and tempt Retegui away now his influential manager has left the club.

Looking at his record, United could do far, far worse.

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