Franculino Dju: Man United in race for red-hot €35m striker | OneFootball

Manchester United’s topsy-turvy start to the season continued with a disappointing return from the international break.

The Red Devils, five games unbeaten, turned in a toothless display at home to a ten-man Everton who humbled their hosts with a 1-0 win.

Extra firepower needed

United had 23 shots but couldn’t get one past Jordan Pickford as their recent troubles in front of goal reared their head once again.

The club invested heavily over the summer to address the issue, bringing in marquee striker Benjamin Sesko and flanking him with a Premier League-proven duo of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

But with Sesko and Cunha out injured, and Joshua Zirkzee looking miles off the pace at centre-forward, United’s lack of goalscoring depth was displayed once again.

Interest in Franculino Dju

Sesko’s name was known across Europe when he was signed from RB Leipzig earlier this year, but United are also keeping tabs on far less famous options.

According to Danish outlet Tipsbladet, one such striker is FC Midtjylland’s Franculino Dju.

The Guinea-Bissau international has bagged 19 goals in 28 games for the club this season in the Danish Superliga and Europa League.

It’s therefore unsurprising that top teams are interested in the 21-year-old, and United are reportedly one of those sides.

As per the report they are joined in the chase by Everton and Bayern Munich.

Price increasing after offers rejected

Tipsbladet report that Roma have been priced out of a move and that teams from Saudi Arabia and France both failed with bids of €30m.

His explosive form in front of goal has naturally bumped his price up, and the outlet claims that now FC Midtjylland “is aiming to sell him this summer for €35m”.

They add that “a lot would have to go wrong for Franculino Djú not to become the Superliga’s most expensive sale ever”.

While “the player and club agree” on a summer sale, it seems that the player’s agents are agitating for a move in January instead.

This, claim Tipsbladet, “has created friction between the parties – just not between the most relevant parties, which must be said to be the striker himself and FC Midtjylland.”

Final thoughts

United’s need for a new striker is clear to see, so it’s in no way surprising to see the club’s name thrown into a conversation about a promising youngster in free-scoring form in one of Europe’s smaller leagues.

Given Tipsbladet’s clear explanation that the agents are stirring the pot, it feels more like a ploy to build hype around the player than an indication of concrete interest.

Dju is the profile of player INEOS would doubtless like to attract, but at this stage his signing does not seem particularly likely.

Featured image Paolo Bruno via Getty Images

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