Manchester United have reportedly been priced out of a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani during this summer's transfer window.
The 24-year-old was in excellent form for his German club during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 23 goals and registering 17 assists in 46 appearances in all competitions.
Kolo Muani netted 15 goals and provided 14 assists in 32 Bundesliga outings, while he also scored twice in seven Champions League appearances, with Frankfurt progressing to the last-16 stage of the competition.
The France international's impressive campaign has led to a host of speculation surrounding his future, with a number of the leading clubs in world football said to be admirers of his talents.
Bayern Munich are being heavily linked with the striker, while Man United are believed to have identified him as an alternative to Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane.
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Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag is still said to view Kane as his leading centre-forward target, but it seems highly unlikely that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will sell the England captain to a domestic rival.
As a result, Man United have seemingly shifted their attention elsewhere, with Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Benfica's Goncalo Ramos also believed to be of interest.
According to The Mirror, the 20-time English champions recently held talks with Frankfurt to discuss the possibility of signing Kolo Muani during the summer market.
However, the report claims that the club have been put off by his huge price tag, with the German outfit demanding £80m for the Frenchman.
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Kolo Muani made the move to Frankfurt from Nantes last summer, penning a five-year contract with the Bundesliga side, which has placed them in a strong negotiating position.
Man United will not sign Wout Weghorst on a permanent deal, with the Netherlands international struggling to impress during a loan spell from Burnley in the second half of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Anthony Martial could reportedly depart, which would leave Ten Hag seriously short of options in the final third of the field, leading to suggestions that two new forwards could arrive this summer rather than one.
Atalanta BC's Rasmus Hojlund has also been heavily linked with the club, but a recent report claimed that the forward's Italian team had placed an £86m valuation on him.
Man United will return to pre-season training early next month before beginning their preparations for the new campaign with a friendly against Leeds United in Oslo on July 12.
Matt Law
