Manchester United are poised to finalize the signing of their top striker target if they defeat Tottenham in the Europa League final, but a defeat in Bilbao will result in the frontman joining a direct rival, according to a report.
Matheus Cunha is poised to become Manchester United’s first major signing of the summer. The Brazilian has agreed to move to Old Trafford, regardless of whether United qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.
Man Utd intends to pay the whole value of Cunha’s £62.5 million release clause, but will do so in instalments rather than all at once.
Cunha will play one of the two No. 10 positions behind the striker in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation. Fabrizio Romano, the club’s transfer expert, has indicated that a second No. 10 will be signed, as well as a new striker.
Today’s update on the striker move shows that, despite repeated ties to Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen, United’s prime target remains Liam Delap of Ipswich Town.
Technical director Jason Wilcox has met with Delap, who has a release clause that allows him to be signed for £30 million.
According to the most recent ESPN report, Delap remains the top option, with United described as ‘frontrunners’ ahead of Chelsea.
However, offering European football will be critical to gaining the green light from Delap, which Man Utd can only accomplish by defeating Spurs in Bilbao.
Delap is said to be focusing heavily on European football in an attempt to attract Thomas Tuchel’s attention and force his way into England’s plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Who will Manchester United sign if not Liam Delap?
If United suffer defeat on Wednesday night, Wilcox and co. must consider options.
That may suit Amorim, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who claims the manager would like to recruit a more readymade frontman such as Gyokeres or Osimhen, both of whom have led their respective teams to league titles this season (Sporting CP and Galatasaray).
The concern for United is that both of those players (Gyokeres – €65 million / £54.7 million and Osimhen – €75 million / £63.15 million) will command significantly higher transfer fees. And in the case of Osimhen, his wage expectations are significantly higher.
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