Manchester United have reportedly identified four ideal attacking options to target if they fail in their efforts to poach Ivan Toney from Brentford next year.
The Red Devils worked around the clock to bring a new centre-forward to the club in the summer transfer window, having failed to replace the Al-Nassr-bound Cristiano Ronaldo in January.
Moves for Harry Kane, Randal Kolo Muani and Victor Osimhen did not come to fruition, seeing the Red Devils cough up a £72m fee to land Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta BC.
Despite the Dane's potential, he has struggled to adapt to the rigours of Premier League football and is yet to get off the mark in the top flight during the Red Devils' mediocre start to the season.
In addition, Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Martial, Mason Mount and Jadon Sancho have just one league goal between them, with Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes leading the way with three apiece.
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As a result, Man United are supposedly planning to pursue another marksman in January to ease the pressure on Hojlund, and they are one of several teams to have been linked with a move for Toney.
The England international is almost six months into his eight-month betting suspension, and an intense battle for his services could ensue when his ban is lifted during the winter transfer window.
Arsenal and Chelsea are also primed to try their luck, but Brentford will supposedly demand £100m to sell the 27-year-old, whom Thomas Frank has stated remains "happy" in West London.
According to TEAMtalk, Man United have drawn up a shortlist of four possible alternatives to the Englishman, including Porto's Mehdi Taremi, who would prove to be a far cheaper acquisition.
The 31-year-old Iran international is in the final season of his contract with Porto, whom he has amassed 83 goals and 52 assists in 161 games for, but clubs in Saudi Arabia are also monitoring developments.
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Monaco captain Wissam Ben Yedder represents another veteran option under consideration at Old Trafford, and the 33-year-old could also be available for a cut-price fee in January before his contract expires in the summer.
Outside of Europe, Man United are believed to be admirers of Flamengo forward Gabriel Barbosa, who previously represented Benfica and Inter Milan before returning to his homeland in 2020.
Nevertheless, the Brazil international has apparently always had a yearning to return to European football, and he is another player whose current contract runs out in 2024.
Finally, 20-year-old Santos attacker Marcos Leonardo could be pursued, having lit up the Brasileiro with 13 goals and two assists from 24 matches in the 2023 campaign so far.
A fee of £20m could supposedly be enough to prise Leonardo away from Santos, but Man United are unlikely to prioritise a move for the youngster given their need for experience.
Ben Knapton
