Manchester United have been dealt a blow as one of their targets looks more likely to join La Liga in the summer instead of the Premier League.

It’s no secret that Erik ten Hag is desperate to land a striker in the next months. United aren’t expected to sign Wout Weghorst as he has struggled to find much goalscoring form.

Elsewhere, Anthony Martial is likely to leave the club this summer and so Ten Hag is in need of several more attacking options.

The likes of Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen have been linked, although their signatures would prove to be costly.

Man Utd have also been exploring the free agents market and along with Chelsea, have been linked with Marcus Thuram.

The Borussia Monchengladbach forward is set to depart the German club in the summer upon his contract expiring.

While Man Utd had been keen on the French forward, Jonathan Johnson has told CaughtOffside that he is more likely to move to Spain.

“Marcus Thuram is set to become a free agent this summer, and he’s seen as an enticing option on the market by a number of clubs around Europe this summer,” Johnson said.

“My understanding is that the strongest interest is coming from Spain and Italy, and it seems most likely that he’ll go to a club from Spain. Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan look like two names to watch.”

Most likely option is Spain

The French forward would have been a useful option for a club like United. In the Bundesliga this season he’s scored 13 goals and provided six assists.

Averaging 3.1 shots per game, the 25-year-old tends to take up useful positions in the final third.

Chelsea had also been linked with the forward, but the lack of European football seems to have put them out of the race.

“With Chelsea, there was interest in January but it’s understandable that he decided not to make the move,” Johnson adds.

“Looking at the state of Chelsea right now, it’s a hard sell, and now they’re going to be without Champions League football as well. The squad appears to be being put together quite sloppily, so it’s hard to see it being a smart move.

“If I had to pick two likely destinations for him, I think Atleti and Inter look the favourites.

“He’s allowed himself a few months to come to the end of his contract so there’ll be options out there for him, and I think he’ll make his choice once the Bundesliga season comes to an end.”

Ten Hag will have to go back to the drawing board and devise a fresh plan for the summer. Kane remains a top target, although he won’t come cheap from Tottenham.

Despite his contract being set to expire in 2024, Daniel Levy would still expect a fee in excess of £100m for his prized asset.

READ MORE: Ten Hag in dreamland as Man Utd signing ‘agreed’ and selling club line up Liverpool target as replacement

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