Manchester United Target Alexander Sorloth as Striker Solution
Manchester United have been offered the chance to bring Alexander Sorloth back to the Premier League as their late-window striker search intensifies.
With Carlos Baleba already through the door from Brighton in a £70million deal, the focus at Old Trafford has swung sharply to a new centre-forward and a left-back before Tuesday’s deadline. Michael Carrick wants cover and competition for Benjamin Sesko up front after Joshua Zirkzee’s departure, and fresh pressure on Luke Shaw at left-back.
Zirkzee, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, has given the green light to a return to Serie A with Fiorentina. The Florence club have gone a step further, sending United a loan proposal that includes an option to buy at the end of the season.
That move has left United scrambling for a replacement No 9. Freiburg’s Igor Matanovic has been checked out. So has Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is keen to move on.
Sorloth put to United as late-window option
TEAMtalk report that intermediaries have ‘offered’ Sorloth to United, with Atletico Madrid ready to listen at the right price. At 6ft 5in and with 175 goals in 475 senior games, the Norway international brings something very different to the current attacking mix at Carrington.
Crucially, he ticks the box United are prioritising: a specialist No 9 who can both push Sesko and cover him across a long season. Those close to the situation say Sorloth is open to leaving Atleti and would welcome another crack at English football after his earlier spell at Crystal Palace.
That first Premier League stint never really caught fire. Between January 2018 and September 2020 he made only 20 appearances for Palace, spending much of that period out on loan at Gent and Trabzonspor. A move to United would hand him a far grander stage – and a chance to rewrite his story in England.
Atletico, whose deal with Sorloth runs until June 2028, are prepared to sanction a sale but only once they have a replacement lined up. Among the names on their list are Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and Juventus forward Jonathan David.
The exact fee required to prise Sorloth away from Diego Simeone’s side remains unclear, but the Spanish club are under no pressure to sell quickly.
Atletico juggling exits and arrivals
Sorloth is not the only forward causing debate at the Metropolitano. Barcelona and Arsenal are both pushing to sign his team-mate Julian Alvarez, yet Atletico insist the Argentine will not be leaving.
Alvarez has publicly expressed his desire to move, a stance that has infuriated sections of the Atleti support and added another layer of tension to a frantic final stretch of the window.
While that saga rumbles on in Spain, United’s own plans are being thrashed out in Manchester.
Speaking on the Talk of the Devils podcast, Laurie Whitwell outlined the likely shape of any late business.
“Loan is what I have heard in terms of incoming,” he said, hinting that United may prefer a short-term fix rather than a permanent splash.
Andy Mitten echoed the growing expectation that movement is coming.
“Will we see new players come in? I think it’s increasing, I think it’s a possibility. I don’t know if the player would be signed or loaned. If you lose a striker, United look light up top.”
That is the dilemma now facing Carrick and the recruitment team. Do they commit to a towering, penalty-box specialist like Sorloth for the long haul, or hunt for a temporary solution while they wait for a different opportunity?
The clock is ticking, the squad looks thin at centre-forward, and an imposing 6ft 5in option is on the market. How bold will Manchester United be in the final hours?
