Manchester United's January Target: Mehdi Taremi, a Thrifty Striking Solution.

Manchester United, known for their keen eye in the transfer market, dispatched a scout to witness an intriguing clash between FC Porto and Gil Vicente over the past weekend, as reported by the reputable A Bola newspaper.

The event drew a cadre of scouts from top European clubs, and the presence of a United representative added an air of anticipation to the proceedings.

The outcome of the match saw Porto emerge victorious, securing a 2-1 win against Gil Vicente, with Ivan Jaime and Eustaquio contributing to the Portuguese giants' success, while Depu managed to find the net for Vicente.

The report, however, refrained from explicitly identifying the player Manchester United had under scrutiny during the game.

Speculation has arisen, suggesting it could possibly be Diogo Costa, although this seems improbable given Andre Onana's established role as the primary goalkeeper.

To unravel the mystery of United's prospective target, some deductive reasoning is required.

The report notably points out that the scout's presence was in anticipation of the January transfer window, rather than the summer transfer period, narrowing down the list of potential candidates.

One name that emerges as a plausible option is Mehdi Taremi, a seasoned 31-year-old striker.

Taremi's profile boasts both stature and power, characteristics that could inject a fresh dimension into Manchester United's attacking lineup. His playing style offers a distinct contrast to the club's current crop of forwards.

Intriguingly, Taremi was on the cusp of a move to AC Milan during the summer transfer window.

However, as per the same report, the Italian club's offer fell short of his earnings in Portugal, leading to the deal's collapse. With just a year left on his contract with the Portuguese side, Taremi will be free to negotiate with clubs outside of Portugal come January.

Considering Taremi's availability and the potential cost-effectiveness of such a signing, it remains to be seen if Manchester United will formalize their interest with a concrete offer when the winter transfer window opens.