Manchester United can sign £39million Alexander Isak alternative to solve transfer objective

Manchester United can sign £39million Alexander Isak alternative to solve transfer objective

Man United are in desperate need of a striker in this summer's transfer window - but they are yet to make a much-needed breakthrough.

Randal Kolo Muani (left) could be an option for Manchester United this summer. (Image: Mattia Radoni/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)

With just over five weeks of the summer transfer window remaining, it remains to be seen who Manchester United will turn to in their pursuit of a centre-forward.

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United have rightfully prioritised attacking signings this summer and have already added Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to head coach Ruben Amorim's squad. However, they are still missing arguably the most important piece of the jigsaw.

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After missing out on Liam Delap last month, United's striker search has been delayed. They have been linked with a crop of goal-getters, ranging from Viktor Gyokeres to Ollie Watkins, but they yet to have lodged an official bid for a new marksman.

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After news emerged on Thursday of Alexander Isak's desire to leave Newcastle United, some United supporters were brave enough to start believing they could swoop for the Swedish international.

However, as reported by the Manchester Evening News, United are unlikely to move for the former Real Sociedad striker. One source said there was "no chance" of United swooping for him.

Isak, who scored 23 Premier League goals last season, is reputedly valued at £150million, meaning United will be priced out. They have already spent north of £120m on Cunha and Mbeumo and will be reliant on sales to fund further new arrivals.

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Signing a striker is a must for United this summer, but who they will end up turning to is anyone's guess right now. It would not be a complete surprise if they are still on the hunt for the No.9 as the window enters its final week.

United accepted at the time of expressing a keen interest in Delap that attainable strikers are few and far between this summer. Those who went into this summer anticipating moves have either already been snapped up or are on the brink of moving.

United have been linked with some of the usual suspects, such as RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, but they are yet to have made an official move. A lack of European football on offer for next season could prove to be problematic.

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Benjamin Sesko has been linked with a move to Manchester United recently. (Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)

The same could be said if United decide to rekindle their interest in Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani. United have expressed interest in the Frenchman twice in the past, most recently as January this year.

United, as reported by the Manchester Evening News at the time, had not ruled out the possibility of trying to sign him. Instead, he sealed a move to Juventus, joining them on loan for the remainder of the season.

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After struggling to make his mark at PSG, whom he had joined from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023, Kolo Muani enjoyed a fruitful loan spell in Turin, scoring a respectable ten goals in 22 appearances. He also contributed three assists.

As a result, Juventus are continuing to be heavily linked with the prospect of re-signing him on a permanent basis. It has been claimed Kolo Muani wants to leave the French capital.

With three years remaining on his contract, PSG will attempt to dig their heels in amid their ambition of securing the highest possible price for the 26-year-old, who must be keen to try and put down some roots elsewhere after failing to settle at the Parc des Princes.

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Interestingly, using DataMB's player similarity generator tool to bring up players with similar characteristics to Isak, Kolo Muani is one of the five similar players to the Newcastle striker.

Randal Kolo Muani could be an option for Manchester United. (Image: Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images.)

Despite scoring 15 goals fewer across all competitions than Isak last season, scoring 12 for PSG and Juventus combined, Kolo Muani scores similar levels to Isak in other areas of his game, according to the data provided.

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For example, in terms of non-penalty goals, 91 per cent of Isak's efforts were from open play and 86.7 per cent of Kolo Muani's were from open play. Additionally, Kolo Muani had a higher goal conversion rate (97.3 per cent) than Isak (85.5 per cent) last term.

With Newcastle said to value Isak at £150m, Kolo Muani could be a good alternative for a fraction of the price. Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport recently said he could be available for as little as £39m.

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