Manchester United have reportedly turned their attention to one Premier League and one Serie A striker after missing out on the signature of Liam Delap.
The Red Devils were said to have been one of several teams considering an approach for Delap, whom they could have landed for £30m thanks to a relegation clause in his Ipswich Town contract.
However, the England Under-21 international is instead on his way to Chelsea, who have agreed to pay the £30m needed to strike a deal for Delap and will welcome him for a medical on Monday.
As a result, Man United must scour the market for other cut-price alternatives to Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, both of whom flattered to deceive under Ruben Amorim during 2024-25.
The Red Devils are no longer considered serious contenders for Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres due to his hefty price tag, and their financial situation could also scupper moves for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Napoli's Victor Osimhen.
Man United 'targeting Jean-Philippe Mateta, Randal Kolo Muani' after Delap blow
© Imago
Instead, GIVEMESPORT claims that the Red Devils are instead looking into moves for Crystal Palace marksman Jean-Philippe Mateta or Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani when the window opens.
Mateta now has an FA Cup medal around his neck and demonstrated his Premier League quality yet again in the 2024-25 season, coming up with 17 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions.
The Frenchman could have become a free agent at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, but Palace recently activated a 12-month extension in his terms to keep him at the club for another two seasons.
Meanwhile, Kolo Muani will soon head back to parent club PSG after a productive loan spell with Italian giants Juventus, where he registered eight goals and two assists in 19 games for the Old Lady.
However, the 26-year-old appears to be surplus to requirements in the French capital and is expected to be made available for transfer by PSG, who have him under contract until 2028.
How much would Mateta, Kolo Muani cost for Man United?
© Imago
Even though Kolo Muani's exploits at PSG have left something to be desired, his strong spells at Juventus and Eintracht Frankfurt have apparently convinced Man United chiefs that he is worth 'upping the ante' for.
A modest fee of £35m would reportedly be enough for PSG to consider letting the Frenchman leave on a permanent basis, as Juventus are not expected to try for a permanent agreement.
The Red Devils would not have to break the bank for Mateta either, as the report adds that Palace have slapped a reasonable £40m price tag on the head of the 27-year-old.
Mateta appears to be Man United's number one pick at this moment in time, as the Red Devils would supposedly rather sign a striker who already has experience of scoring in the Premier League.
If a new striker joins the club this summer, they will be supported by £62.5m playmaker Matheus Cunha, and Amorim is also said to have made another specific request to Man United transfer chiefs.
Ben Knapton
