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Manchester United 'considering January move for Nikola Krstovic'

Man United 'considering January move for Nikola Krstovic'
© Reuters
Lecce forward Nikola Krstovic allegedly emerges as a January transfer target for Manchester United.

Lecce forward Nikola Krstovic has reportedly emerged as a January transfer target for Manchester United, with the English giants looking to boost their attacking options at the start of 2024.

The incoming Sir Jim Ratcliffe has allegedly made it clear to Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag that there will be funds available during the winter market to improve the squad.

A recent report claimed that Ratcliffe, who is preparing to purchase 25% of the club for around £1.3bn, feels that the squad needs a boost at full-back and in the final third of the field.

Rasmus Hojlund is the team's top goalscorer this season, netting five times since his arrival from Atalanta BC over the summer, with all of his goals coming in the Champions League.

Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes are next in line with four goals, while Scott McTominay has three, but Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have managed just one goal each.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag on November 1, 2023© Reuters

Jadon Sancho is preparing to leave Old Trafford in January due to his falling-out with Ten Hag, which will open up space in the squad for a new attacker to arrive.

Porto's Mehdi Taremi has recently been linked with a mid-season move to the club, while Federico Chiesa is also thought to be a target amid the uncertainty surrounding his future at Juventus.

According to Calciomercato, Krstovic is also very much on the club's radar, with Man United potentially battling Inter Milan for his signature during the January market.

The report claims that the forward could be available for as little as €10m (£8.7m) at the start of 2024 despite the fact that he only made the move to Lecce over the summer.

Montenegro's Nikola Krstovic celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 24, 2023© Reuters

Krstovic scored 37 goals and registered eight assists in 66 appearances for Slovakian side DAC Dunajska Streda before making the move to Lecce last August.

The 23-year-old has been in impressive form for his Italian club this season, scoring four goals in 12 appearances, with all of his strikes coming in Serie A.

The forward has also found the back of the net twice on 12 appearances for Montenegro, and he is again in their squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualification matches with Lithuania and Hungary.

Fernandes and McTominay are Man United's joint-leading goalscorers in the Premier League this season with three each, which is an indication of the team's problems finding the back of the net in 2023-24.

However, Ten Hag's side have been victorious in four of their last five league matches, which has moved them up into sixth position in the table.

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Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe on March 17, 2023
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