Manchester United Rumors: Aleksandr Kokorin May Be Headed To Old Trafford
According to Russian News Agency TASS, Manchester United has an interest in signing a young forward. Chelsea completed a deal on Thursday for Pedro from FC Barcelona, and Manchester United did not want to get left behind in the standings, which they will if they are unable to pick up a striker.
Manchester United is pursuing Dynamo Moscow forward Aleksandr Kokorin. The Russian national team striker is currently holding talks with Manchester United, as reported by TASS.
Tottenham has also shown interest in signing the forward. Kokorin’s authorized representative has said there was good reason to hope Kokorin would move to one of the two clubs before August 31.
Tottenham is also desperate for a striker after Roberto Soldado, who was a major disappointment, transferred to Villareal, and Emmanuel Adebayor may soon be leaving, as well.
That would leave Harry Kane and Clinton N’Jie as the team’s only two strikers.
Each team has made a few signings this summer. Manchester United has added Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, and goalkeeper Sergio Romero, while Tottenham has added Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, and N’Jie to their squad.
“There is every reason to believe he will end up at either Manchester United or Tottenham,” Kokorin’s agent told Russian media.
Earlier in the transfer window, FC Zenit and St Petersburg also showed interest in signing Kokorin, but that interest has since dwindled.
Kokorin started out his youth career with FC Lokomotiv before taking up a contract to play in Moscow in 2008. In his time with Dynamo, Kokorin has scored 38 goals in 165 appearances, including 10 goals last season. Manchester United hopes he can continue his scoring ways at Old Trafford.
As the striker for the Russian national team, he has 32 caps and eight goals. In 2014, Aleksandr had the honor of representing his country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Southampton’s Sadio Mane has also been on the radar of Manchester United, but recent reports say that the 23-year-old forward will not be sold. This leaves Manchester United with very few options to improve their team. Kokorin is their best bet at landing a striker before the deadline.
Do you think Manchester United will make a transaction in order to acquire Russian striker Aleksandr Kokorin? If not, what other moves do you see Louis Van Gaal making before the transfer window ends on August 31? Finally, how do you think Manchester United will fare this season as they are currently in 4th place after just two games?
[Image Source: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images]
