Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has identified Torino striker Andrea Belotti as a possible strike partner for Antoine Griezmann next season, according to The Independent.
The Red Devils won the Europa League on Wednesday night and as such have secured a place in 2017-18’s Champions League – something that will make the club’s summer recruitment a bit easier.
Griezmann has caused quite the stir among the United fans by recently stating on French television that he was ‘6/10 likely’ to join the Premier League side over the summer.
However, the latest report suggests that Mourinho will not be happy with one big-money attacking acquisition before next season and wants Belotti also.
The Italy international striker has been in incredible form for Torino over the last 12 months and has netted 25 Serie A goals in 2016-17.
Belotti’s agent revealed in January that the 23-year-old has a €100 million (£87 million) release clause in his contract with the Turin side – with the Italian club believed to be unwilling to negotiate.
The Independent report suggests that Mourinho rates the likelihood of being able to strike a deal with Torino for the hotshot centre forward at 50-50 and that he is more confident of landing Griezmann and Michael Keane from Burnley.
It also suggests that United would field Belotti as the furthest man forward and the Atletico Madrid ace in the number ten role behind him, in a mouth-watering new attacking unit.
Mourinho’s side have not been as lethal in front of goal as he would have liked in 2016-17, with wasted chances leading to dropped points – especially at Old Trafford.
However, bringing both Belotti and Griezmann to the Premier League would give the Red Devils an array of top-class options in the final third.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been United’s attacking talisman this season and it remains to be seen how the Swede would accept not being assured a starting berth at United next term.
Any potential summer recruits would also cast doubt over what role Marcus Rashford will play in the team, with the promising England international clearly best in his preferred role as a central striker.
That said, with United only scoring 54 Premier League goals in 2016-17, the Old Trafford faithful will certainly be excited about the potential prospect of Belotti and Griezmann lining up together in attack for the club next season.
Signing both Griezmann and Belotti is a major statement of intent and United will be very lethal upfront. go for it Woodward and Mourinho. if you pull this one off plus one defensive midfielder and a good centre back to partner Bailly, we are definitely getting the league and other major honours.