Yahoo News Manchester United will not rival Chelsea for Timo Werner after Blues make late move for RB Leipzig star
Manchester United will not rival Chelsea for Timo Werner.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a big admirer of the RB Leipzig striker, who has agreed a move to Stamford Bridge, but United are prioritising other targets after securing an extension to Odion Ighalo’s loan deal.
Jadon Sancho remains at the top of Solskjaer’s wanted list – even after the financial impact of coronavirus forced him to review their spending this summer.
Werner was among a list of striker targets drawn up by United’s transfer committee, along with Moussa Dembele and Erling Braut Haaland. But Solskjaer believes the deal to keep Ighalo at the club until January has alleviated the need to bring in a top-class striker when the window eventually opens.
He also wants to see how Mason Greenwood develops over the next six months to see if the teenager can establish himself as genuine competition to Anthony Martial at the point of United’s attack.
United are continuing to monitor strike targets, but have opted against launching an official move for Werner, who now looks set to join top four rivals Chelsea for around £50million.
Solskjaer also retains an interest in Haaland and is a big admirer of Harry Kane and Raul Jimenez.
The Norwegian has been assured he will be competitive in the transfer market despite the effects of Covid-19 – but his spending power is likely to be reduced, with United’s hierarchy reluctant to go beyond £60-70million for any target.
That is why Ighalo’s short-term move from Shanghai Shenhua has come as such a boost, along with Marcus Rashford’s return from a back injury.
Solskjaer will now be allowed to concentrate on his pursuit of Sancho, as well as Birmingham starlet Jude Bellingham.
A playmaker is also wanted with Jack Grealish and James Maddison leading targets.
