5 goals & 3 assists: Man Utd should now replace Zirkzee with £26m star who wants PL football
Manchester United should pursue a deal for Levante striker Etta Eyong when the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year.
The Red Devils purchased Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig over the summer. The Slovenian had a slow start, but has scored in his last two Premier League appearances.
Joshua Zirkzee has been Sesko’s deputy off the bench, but the Dutchman is reportedly in disbelief amid the lack of playing time under manager Ruben Amorim this term.
He is expected to push for a winter transfer amid interest from Everton and West Ham United. The Red Devils could look to recoup the £36 million spent to sign him from Bologna in 2024.
Amidst this, journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed that United are keeping tabs on the performances of Eyong, and we believe the club should make an approach for the Cameroonian ace.
The 21-year-old mostly played for Villarreal B in the third tier of Spanish football last season. He registered 19 goals and six assists from 30 games, while playing just 33 La Liga minutes.
Despite this, Levante chose to sign him on their top-flight return. The move has paid dividends. Eyong has been a bright spark for them with five goals and three assists from eight outings.
He has a release clause worth £26 million in his contract, and in our view, the Red Devils should seek to secure his services in January if Zirkzee were to leave on a permanent transfer.
The former Villarreal man is strong in the air and has scored three headed goals this term. He has also excelled with his defensive contributions, link-up play and ability to create key chances.
The young marksman has converted an impressive 25 percent of his shots into goals.
La Liga giants Barcelona are reportedly weighing up a move for Eyong next summer, but the Red Devils have the opportunity to beat them to his signature with a winter proposal.
United should have an edge over the Blaugrana with the talented striker recently admitting that he “dreams” of playing in the Premier League and wants to experience Boxing Day football.
Meanwhile, Villarreal have a first-refusal clause on Eyong, but he has no desire to rejoin them. They are also unlikely to pay almost a club-record fee to re-sign him, and could benefit from the sell-on clause.
United should translate their interest in Eyong into a formal bid if Zirkzee departs in January.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .