Manchester United have seen an opening offer for former Stoke City and West Ham United man Marko Arnautovic knocked back by Serie A side Bologna as Erik ten Hag looks to strengthen his frontline this summer.
The Red Devils are light in attack at present, with Edinson Cavani having left the club as a free agent and other supporting cast Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata having also seen their contracts expire at the end of the 2021/22 season.
And with the future of veteran star forward Cristiano Ronaldo still up in the air, should he depart Manchester United would be left with four options to play across their front three; Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial.
An injury to one, as has happened with Martial, has left the Red Devils scrambling and given them a major selection headache for their opening game of the season, when they welcome Brighton.
The club have been in the hunt for forwards all summer, having chased Ajax winger Antony before being put off by the extortionate price tag, while they are also in the race for RB Salzburg star Benjamin Sesko, although it remains unclear whether he will leave the Austrian club this summer.
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And, as per the reliable Gianluca di Marzio, the Red Devils have now switched their focus to a more experienced Premier League option, in the form of the combustible Marko Arnautovic.
Marko Arnautovic during West Ham United v Everton FC – Premier League LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 30: Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United looks dejected during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton FC at London Stadium on March 30, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)
And the report claims that Manchester United have seen a 9m euro bid turned down for the forward, with Bologna not keen to sell their star man just before the start of a new season.
‘Ten Hag, the new United manager, knows Arnautovic well and would like him with him in his new adventure in the Premier League’, they add.