Inter Milan leading race for Manchester United-linked Mehdi Taremi?

Inter Milan have reportedly moved to the front of the race for possible Manchester United target Mehdi Taremi.

The Porto striker has been linked with a cut-price move to Old Trafford in January, given Man United's difficulties in front of goal this season.

United have scored just 13 goals in their opening 12 Premier League matches, with new signing Rasmus Hojlund yet to open his league account, while Marcus Rashford has not scored since the first week of September.

Taremi's contract at the Estadio do Dragao will expire next summer, putting some of Europe's top clubs on high alert - including Inter.

Despite that though, Fichajes claims that Porto are still asking for a sum in the region of €20m and €25m (£17.5-21.75m) for the player, who could leave for nothing in just over six months' time.

No offer has yet come in which matches Porto's valuation of the Iranian striker, but it is believed that Inter are the frontrunners with negotiations having begun.

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The Nerazzurri may be hasty at paying out such a fee for a player who could be available as a free agent in the summer though, considering that they already have Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram available to them in attack.

There is said to be competition from Inter's bitter rivals AC Milan too, though, as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid, who suffered a blow in attack with the news of Vinicius Junior's injury in the last week.

The report does not rule out the possibility of Taremi extending his contract at the club either, especially if no offer impresses Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa.

Taremi netted a devastating 80 goals in his first three seasons with Porto, but in a side that has been much more pragmatic this season, he only has three so far.

The 31-year-old has continued to prove his clinical edge for his national team though, scoring in both of Iran's World Cup qualifiers this week against Hong Kong and Uzbekistan.

Taremi has played an important role in the Champions League for Porto, contributing to three goals, leaving them needing just a draw with Shakhtar Donetsk on matchday six to progress to the knockout stage.