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Man Utd ‘identify top transfer target after scouting him vs Man City’ as £72m Hojlund and Martial struggle for goals


MANCHESTER UNITED have identified RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda as their top transfer target.

Scouts from the club watched the Belgian striker score twice against Manchester City in the Champions League last month.

Manchester United have made Lois Openda their top transfer target for next summerCredit: Getty

Openda, who was also on target in the reverse fixture, is now being tracked ahead of a potential move next summer.

According to the Mirror, United are keeping an eye on the forward as they line up replacements for Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial.

Club scouts were in attendance for his brace in Leipzig’s 3-2 loss at the Etihad Stadium on November 28, the report adds.

Staff had been present to check on defender Castello Lukeba, who is also a United target.

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Openda has scored 14 goals in 22 appearances this season, including his three Champions League strikes against City.

His form in front of goal is attracting interest from clubs both in Europe and the Premier League, including Tottenham.

As a result, Leipzig are said to have slapped a £75million price tag on the 23-year-old, who they signed from Club Brugge for £33million in the summer.

The Belgium international would boost United’s striking options as both Martial and Rasmus Hojlund continue to struggle for form.

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Anthony Martial and Rasmus Hojlund have scored one league goal between them this termCredit: Getty

Martial’s sole league strike is the only Premier League goal the pair have scored across 25 combined appearances.

Hojlund, who signed from Atalanta for £72million in August, has scored five goals in five Champions League matches, though.

Meanwhile, Martial has just two goals across all competitions and is out of contract at the end of the season.

United are said to have opened talks over a potential new deal as well as holding the option to extend his existing contract until 2025.


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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