Man Utd plot swoop to sign 24-year-old Chelsea star, £37m could be agreed
Manchester United is third in the Premier League in terms of points, but seventh in terms of goals, so Erik ten Hag is expected to make signing an attacker a priority this summer.
According to Daily Express reporter Robert Mann, United is interested in Christian Pulisic and may sell a number of out-of-favor players to fund a deal for the forward this summer.
Chelsea may have to sell because Pulisic’s contract expires next year. The Blues will not want to lose him for nothing in 2024, so they may need to cash in while he is still valuable, and the report suggests they would ask for around £37 million to sell to Manchester United.
It makes sense for the Red Devils to desire a striker this summer, as Ten Hag will be left with only Anthony Martial up front, who has been injured for the majority of the season. Yet in Pulisic’s situation, United has plenty of choices.
Marcus Rashford plays on the left flank and has 27 goals and nine assists in 44 games this season, so his spot in the starting lineup is safe. He’s among the first names on the roster.
In Rashford’s absence, United have options like Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga, and Alejandro Garnacho, so they don’t need any more competition. That same applies to the opposing wing, where Anthony is first-choice alongside Sancho, Elanga, Garnacho, and Facundo Pellistri.
Pulisic hasn’t been in great form either, with just one goal and two assists in 24 games this season across all competitions, so why would United want him?
The 24-year-old has spent four years at Chelsea, scoring 26 goals and assisting 21 times in 139 games, averaging one goal every three games. It’s not the worst record in the league, but it’s not the best for a team looking to compete on all fronts next season.
If Chelsea wants to sell Pulisic this summer, he’s clearly not good enough for United. The US international would not have made the starting lineup at Old Trafford and hasn’t been productive enough in previous seasons to justify the £37 million asking price.
Ten Hag does require an attacker, but he should recruit a prolific striker rather than a wide player who has struggled this season.
