In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United have reportedly been offered the services of former Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán on an initial loan arrangement from Al-Nassr, according to the latest whispers from the transfer grapevine.
Currently, Ruben Amorim’s side are firmly dedicating their transfer efforts towards bolstering their attacking midfield options. Their main targets include Bryan Mbeumo, with hopes high that he will join Matheus Cunha at Old Trafford before the transfer window closes. Both players are seen as significant upgrades to United’s current lineup, as the club aim to rebuild following a disappointing campaign which saw them languish in 15th place in the Premier League.
Despite their focus on midfield, the Red Devils remain in the hunt for a new striker. This need was made more pressing after missing out on Liam Delap, who opted for rivals Chelsea. Though the club possesses options up front, their limited budget—unhelpfully tight due to their absence from the Champions League places constraints on their spending capabilities compared to previous summers.
Compounding these difficulties is the fact that fellow Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Liverpool are also in the market for a forward, with overlapping targets creating a competitive bidding environment.
Deals for high-profile targets such as Viktor Gyökeres, Victor Osimhen, and Hugo Ekitike appear to be slipping through United’s fingers. Amorim was reportedly keen to reunite with Gyökeres, but the Swedish forward seems destined for Arsenal. Osimhen’s wage demands remain too steep for United’s current financial model, while Ekitike’s €100 million valuation by Frankfurt is simply prohibitive.
Amidst these challenges, United have been linked with Durán as a left-field option. The 22-year-old Colombian made a bright start to the season with Aston Villa, netting 12 goals before moving to Al-Nassr in January. There, he maintained his scoring streak, tallying 24 goals across all competitions.
Recent reports signal that Durán himself is eyeing a quick departure from Al-Nassr, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealing an agreement with Turkish giants Fenerbahçe. Romano explained that Durán has been secured on an initial loan until June 2026, with his salary fully covered by Al-Nassr.
Despite this looming move to Turkey, Romano disclosed that Durán was indeed presented as a potential addition to Manchester United on a temporary basis. However, the club opted against pursuing this opportunity, choosing instead to concentrate on alternative targets as their summer overhaul continues.
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