Before the summer transfer season ends, Manchester United has talked about the prospect of acquiring Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Premier League opponent Everton.
With the addition of Dutch attacker Joshua Zirkzee and French defender Leny Yoro thus far this summer, Manchester United has strengthened Erik ten Hag’s roster.
Ten Hag, who maintained his position despite Manchester United’s generally dismal 2023–24 campaign, will also be welcoming Matthijs De Ligt, a Dutch defender, and Noussair Mazraoui, a Moroccan right-back, to Old Trafford.
Given that the contracts for De Ligt and Mazraoui are all but done, Sky Sports reports that the Red Devils are looking at other potential targets and may make a play for Calvert-Lewin.
It is claimed Calvert-Lewin has been ‘discussed’ by the Manchester United hierarchy as a possible signing, though a new striker is not the club’s priority at this stage.
Calvert-Lewin, 27, has struggled with injuries over the last few seasons but is a talented and versatile striker when fit, scoring more than 50 Premier League goals for Everton.
The striker, who started his career at Sheffield United, has also scored four goals in 11 appearances for England, while there was talk he could force his way into Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024 earlier in the summer.
Manchester United spent over £70m on Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund this time last year but the 21-year-old underwhelmed during his first season at the club.
Hojlund is also set to miss the few first weeks of the new season after suffering an injury in a pre-season game against Arsenal.
That will leave Manchester United short up top and the club may decide to strengthen Ten Hag’s attacking options with a move before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
United have also been linked with England strikers Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney this summer but neither look particularly close to leaving Aston Villa and Brentford respectively.
Even so, Manchester United legend Brian McClair believes his former club should tempt Brentford with an offer for talented attacker Toney.
‘I’d love to see someone a bit different with pedigree in English football,’ he told FourFourTwo. ‘Ivan Toney would be a great fit.
‘He’s going into the last year of his contract and that could make things easier in terms of getting a deal done. I think United should go for it.’