Manchester United’s ongoing search for a striker has yet to bear fruit, with multiple high-profile pursuits ending in disappointment.
The club failed to land Viktor Gyokeres earlier in the summer after he chose to join Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal instead.
Liam Delap was another considered option earlier in the window, only for the Englishman to head to Chelsea instead.
United were also in the race for former Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike – although he chose Premier League champions Liverpool instead.
Benjamin Sesko remains the club’s primary target.
Discussions continue over a potential swap involving Rasmus Hojlund, despite the Dane refusing to listen to offers from potential suitors.
Ollie Watkins has also been discussed internally, however interest in the Englishman has since cooled.
Thus, meaning attention has turned toward alternative, lower-cost options.
One name under consideration is Nick Woltemade – the 6ft 6in Germany U21 forward who starred at the European Championships and impressed last season with 17 goals for VfB Stuttgart.
News circulated earlier this week that United and Newcastle were ready to do battle for the £40m-rated forward.
But Stuttgart CEO Alexander Wehrle has now poured cold water on the speculation – warning that only a major bid would bring the Bundesliga club to the table.
“I stand by what I said five weeks ago.
“We want to go into the next season with Nick”, Wehrle told Münchner Merkur/Tz.
“If something extraordinary happens, we are ready to sit down at the table.”
Wehrle dismissed recent rumours involving Bayern and doubled down on the club’s commitment to keeping their star man.
“We don’t have to deal with offers because we have never indicated we want to sell him… Nick is a very important player.”
United’s interest is only at the beginning stages, but talks may liven up to a concrete stage – the longer the Red Devils go without a striker signing this summer.
