Report: Manchester United eye shock swoop for Real Madrid forward
According to a report from Spanish outlet Relevo, Manchester United have made an initial enquiry for Real Madrid’s on-loan striker Joselu ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Spanish international, 34, re-joined Real Madrid last summer on loan from Espanyol, having left Santiago Bernabeu almost a decade ago. The veteran centre-forward has enjoyed a fruitful second spell with Real Madrid, netting 14 goals and providing three assists on top of that in 38 games this season—13 of which have been starts.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are keen to sign a striker in the summer, having failed to bolster their attacking ranks during the winter transfer window. The Premier League heavyweights have added Joselu to their list of targets, with Relevo claiming that two English scouts spoke with the Real Madrid centre-forward’s entourage a few weeks ago to understand his situation and potential transfer fee. The plan would be for the Spaniard to join the Red Devils as an experienced cover for Rasmus Hojlund.
Joselu fits the profile Man United are looking for in a striker to reinforce their attack for the 2024/25 campaign. In addition, the 34-year-old also has decent Premier League experience, having turned out for Stoke City and Newcastle United.
However, any move for the Spanish international will depend on the arrival of the new sporting director—likely to be Dan Ashworth—at the end of the campaign, the report adds. Unsurprisingly, Joselu’s priority is to stay at Real Madrid and continue fulfilling his dream of playing for his boyhood club. Real can make Joselu’s loan move from Espanyol permanent for €1.5 million but a final decision is expected to be made during the business end of the season.
Red Devil Armada’s verdict:
Given the names of strikers Man United have been linked to in recent weeks, it is clear we will sign a striker when the transfer window reopens. After a difficult start to life at Old Trafford, Rasmus Hojlund has settled in well and is now proving his doubters wrong.
However, the Red Devils will be left with one recognised centre-forward when Anthony Martial is released upon the expiry of his contract in June, so we must sign a striker to cover and compete with Hojlund. Real Madrid’s Joselu has emerged as a target of late, and while he’d be ideal as a back-up to Hojlund and provide the team with a different dimension to attack, I think we can do a lot better than him.
A more rounded, flexible striker in his mid to late 20s has to be our club’s target.