Manchester United are expected to “target” a striker when the January transfer window opens, according to the Daily Mail.

The English tabloid claim that there is a “willingness” to strengthen the squad after a very disappointing start to the season and buying a new forward is said to be one of the priorities.

With Rasmus Hojlund having not scored in the Premier League since arriving from Atalanta for £72m in the summer, the club are hoping to bring in someone who can take some of the responsibility for scoring goals off the 20-year-old’s shoulders.

It is felt that it would not only ‘ease the burden ‘ on the Danish international but also add a goal threat which has been completely lacking from the likes of Anthony Martial.

Which forwards are United planning to pursue in January?

Porto’s Mehdi Taremi, Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen are believed to be the three targets that the Red Devils have identified.

Taremi would be the most realistic. The Iranian international is out of contract at the end of the season, and he will be available relatively cheaply in the New Year. The 31-year-old would only be a short-term solution but he has been quite prolific over the years, having scored 83 times in 160 appearances for Porto.

Deals for Toney and Osimhen would be a lot more complicated. Toney is expected to cost between £60m and £80m and the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal are said to be interested in signing the striker.

Osimhen would be even more expensive, with reports in Italy claiming that Napoli may hold out for between €150m (£130m) and €200m (£173m). There is also an additional problem in that his club are reluctant to sell him in January.

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