Three forwards Man United could sign before transfer deadline, including two Premier League stars

By Matt Law | 12 Aug 2026 14:34, Last updated: 12 Aug 2026 14:36

Manchester United are expected to bring a caller centre-forward to the nine earlier this summer's transportation model closes for business.

Benjamin Sesko has inactive not played successful pre-season owed to the shin wounded that ended his 2025-26 run early, portion determination are superior question marks surrounding Joshua Zirkzee's future.

Bryan Mbeumo has played arsenic a centre-forward successful pre-season, scoring 3 times successful his past 2 appearances, portion Marcus Rashford - if helium stays - tin besides run done the middle.

However, the anticipation is that Man United volition motion a caller striker earlier the marketplace closes.

Dusan Vlahovic had been linked with a determination to Old Trafford, but the striker is believed to beryllium connected the verge of making the power to Besiktas.

With that successful mind, Sports Mole picks retired 3 forwards who could marque the determination to Old Trafford.

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Potential asking price: £40m

There is presently a big of speculation surrounding Watkins' future, with the England planetary perchance being allowed to permission Villa for astir £40m this summer.

The 30-year-old has scored 108 goals successful 278 appearances for Villa, including 91 goals and 39 assists successful 221 appearances successful the Premier League.

Watkins is proven astatine the highest level and would beryllium somewhat of a bargain astatine £40m.

The guardant would not beryllium a semipermanent enactment for the 20-time English champions, but helium could play a important relation astatine Man United fixed Sesko's fittingness issues.

However, whether Villa are prepared to merchantability different important subordinate to Man United, pursuing the departure of Youri Tielemans earlier this summer, remains to beryllium seen.

Endrick (Real Madrid)

Potential asking price: Loan

Real Madrid are not believed to beryllium unfastened to selling Endrick this summer, but determination person been suggestions that the Brazilian could beryllium allowed to depart connected loan.

The latest reports coming retired of Spain are that Real Madrid caput manager Jose Mourinho wants to support clasp of the 20-year-old, but a indebtedness departure has not been wholly ruled out.

Endrick has lone managed 7 goals and 1 assistance successful 40 appearances for Real Madrid, but a palmy indebtedness spell successful the 2nd fractional of past play astatine Lyon saw him people 8 goals and registry 8 assists successful 21 appearances.

Man United are said to beryllium keen connected the Brazil international, who was regarded arsenic 1 of the champion young talents successful satellite shot erstwhile helium joined Real Madrid from Palmeiras.

It has not rather happened for Endrick astatine Bernabeu frankincense far, but Los Blancos are inactive thought to beryllium assured that the youngster volition go a aboriginal first-team star.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)

Potential asking price: £40m

Man United person agelong been linked with a determination for Mateta, and it is thought that the Red Devils could determination for the France planetary earlier the extremity of the summertime market.

The 29-year-old, who represented his state astatine the 2026 World Cup, has scored 62 goals and registered 14 assists successful 202 appearances for the Eagles.

Mateta has 50 goals and 9 assists successful 162 Premier League appearances, including 16 goals and 3 assists successful 50 outings successful each competitions past term.

The guardant could beryllium disposable for astir £40m, and determination would beryllium abstraction successful the squad if Zirkzee leaves Old Trafford earlier the extremity of the market.

Zirkzee continues to beryllium linked with a instrumentality to Serie A, and a indebtedness power could occur, which would fortify Man United's request to bring successful different striker.