If you were looking for the least imaginative attacking transfer that Manchester United could try to pull off in January, then how about somebody who plays for Ajax and impressed a global audience at a winter World Cup? It is successful in almost every respect.
If Manchester United have any intention of pursuing Ghana star Mohammed Kudus, at least they know who to speak to in Amsterdam about their interest. Edwin van der Sar, the chief executive officer of Ajax, is accustomed to fielding calls from United at this point. Initially, the calls were for Erik ten Hag, then for Lisandro Martinez, and finally for Antony.
Given Kudus's strong play for Ghana in the World Cup so far, it is unlikely that Manchester United will be the only club inquiring about him in January. That move from Amsterdam to Manchester may be enough for Van der Sar to tell his former employers to forget about it, but it is also likely that United will not be the only club inquiring about Kudus.
Everton will certainly be regretting their failure to get a deal over the line in the summer, when they tried to sign the 22-year-old player with a bid of £15 million but were unsuccessful. Everton will be regretting this failure for sure. It is highly unlikely that he will now give serious consideration to moving to Goodison Park.
When Everton made their move, it was to sign a player whose 24 appearances for Ajax the previous season came as a midfielder or an attacking midfielder, but his profile has changed so far this season. So far, this season, he has been playing as a defender. This season, he has started in the center forward position 14 times out of the 21 times he has played, and he has scored eight goals in those matches, with four of those goals coming in the Champions League.
This year at Ajax has started off a little bit differently than expected for Kudus. Despite this record, he has only started five of the 14 Eredivisie games he has played in. In the other nine games, he has come off the bench. However, he has started five of the six Champions League games he has played in.
His ability to score goals has been on display throughout the World Cup. On Monday, he scored twice against South Korea, and he also looked lively against Portugal in the tournament's opening game. Additionally, he has demonstrated his versatility by playing a role closer to that of a midfielder against Portugal and then a role closer to that of an attacker on Monday.
Should United decide to make a move, the value of his experience playing in an attacking role could not be overstated. As a No. 9 he can provide backup for Anthony Martial, even if that role is more of a false nine, and he also has the versatility to play on the right side of the front three or in the middle of the field. That is a very valuable package that can be provided.
Although he appears to have a lot of room for improvement, Ten Hag is familiar with him and recognizes that he possesses a lot of untapped potential. His manner gives the impression that he would be an easy addition to the Dutchman's system.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo left the club a week ago, Manchester United are exploring their options in order to strengthen their attack in January. The World Cup is providing them with some options to consider in this regard.
Cody Gakpo, another rising star in the Eredivisie, was on their radar back in the summer. Since then, the PSV Eindhoven forward has taken his Eredivisie form to the international stage with Holland. He has scored twice in Qatar and currently has nine goals and 12 assists across the 14 games that have been played in the league. Although he is best utilized as a wide forward, he has experience playing in the middle for his country, as well as the scoring touch and physical attributes necessary to be a viable option there.
Niclas Fullkrug's goal that tied the game for Germany against Spain on Sunday night certainly brought his name to more people's attention. A 29-year-old man who is a late bloomer and could possibly fancy a bigger challenge than Werder Bremen finished with an impressive display of dominance. Even a player like Cho Gue-sung, who scored twice for South Korea against Ghana and has an excellent goalscoring record in his domestic league, can put himself on the radar of European clubs by performing well in the World Cup. Cho Gue-sung scored twice for South Korea against Ghana.
There isn't going to be a perfect option for United mid-season because the club had originally planned to sign an elite-level striker in the summer of 2023. Those transfers might be more unlikely, but there isn't going to be a perfect option for United mid-season. They could still consider that to be the best alternative, which is why any deal that is made in January needs to be either short-term or involve a target that provides some degree of versatility.
