Manchester United are reportedly considering a surprise swoop for Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic in a bid to solve their attacking conundrum.
The 33-year-old spent a total of six seasons in the Premier League with Stoke City and West Ham United, amassing 43 goals and 33 assists in 184 games in the competition.
Arnautovic enjoyed a brief spell in the Chinese Super League with Shanghai SIPG before returning to Italy with Bologna last term, and he struck 14 goals in 33 Serie A games last term.
The Austria international has two years left to run on his contract with the Serie A club, but a shock return to the Premier League could supposedly be on the cards.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Arnautovic is "fascinated" by a return to the Premier League, which has led to Man United taking an interest in his services.
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The report adds that Bologna are trying to rebuff interest in Arnautovic's services, with the veteran striker becoming an integral cog in the side during his short spell so far.
However, the Rossoblu are not in a strong negotiating position given Arnautovic's contract situation, and they only forked out €3m (£2.5m) to sign the ex-Inter Milan striker last year.
Man United head coach Erik ten Hag has been bedevilled by ongoing speculation surrounding the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still thought to be desperate to leave the club.
The 37-year-old missed most of the Red Devils' pre-season period for personal reasons but returned to Old Trafford to play the first half of a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano before leaving early.
Ronaldo's departure from the stadium angered Ten Hag, who deemed the Portuguese's actions "unacceptable", but the Red Devils boss is now in a difficult position following an injury to Anthony Martial.
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Ronaldo is therefore thought to have a decent chance of starting up front in Sunday's Premier League opener with Brighton & Hove Albion, with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho flanking him.
Anthony Elanga is an alternative option out wide if Ten Hag elects to play Rashford through the middle instead of Ronaldo, but a new striker could now be on the agenda if the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is successful in his efforts to leave the club.
Red Bull Salzburg teenager Benjamin Sesko was initially understood to have been a top target of Ten Hag's, but the Slovenia international is now supposedly set to stay with the Austrian champions for at least one more year.
Man United are also alleged to have enquired about a possible move for ex-Manchester City winger Leroy Sane, who is open to a new challenge after struggling for weekly starts under Julian Nagelsmann at Bayern Munich,
Ben Knapton
