Manchester United and Liverpool have reportedly found themselves in a three-way transfer battle with Aston Villa for the signature of Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani.
The Red Devils are set to take on Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday in the Premier League, but the clubs are also said to have been battling off the pitch, with Muani coveted by both Ruben Amorim and Arne Slot.
The PSG forward has only started two Ligue 1 games for the French champions this season and has seemingly fallen out of boss Luis Enrique's plans.
United have long been linked with the Muani, who has scored twice in the league this term, while the Reds have been on the lookout for potential replacements for Mohamed Salah.
However, the Daily Mail report that Aston Villa could scupper each club's plans as they have entered the race to sign Muani, who signed for PSG from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023 for £79m.
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Aston Villa, Manchester United or Liverpool?
United arguably have the biggest need for reinforcements in the forward line considering their 21 Premier League goals is the division's fifth-worst offensive record, as well as the fact the club are 14th with just 22 points at the halfway stage of 2024-25.
Liverpool have found the back of the net 45 times in the league this term, while Aston Villa have scored 28 goals - the league's best and 11th best returns respectively.
It should be noted that Villa striker Jhon Duran could face a three-game suspension after his angry reaction to being sent off against Newcastle United, and Ollie Watkins has struggled for form this season.
Muani's wages could prove prohibitive for Unai Emery's side given the 26-year-old still has three-and-a-half years left on his contract with PSG and is said to be earning upwards of £200,000-per-week.
Considering United are reportedly struggling to raise funds for the January window, perhaps a loan deal would make a transfer more appealing for Villa and the Red Devils.
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Could Randal Kolo Muani help other Premier League teams?
Liverpool's have little need for reinforcement in attack, especially in light of Salah's record-breaking form for the club that has seen him score 17 goals and provide 13 assists in 18 league appearances.
Elsewhere, while United have numerous offensive issues there is an argument that the team would benefit much more from the purchase of natural wing-backs as they would provide the team with genuine width in the final third.
With Bukayo Saka set to be out of action for many weeks, Mikel Arteta could do with additions in the forward line, although a permanent deal might be difficult to justify given Saka would instantly reclaim a starting spot once he returns from injury.
Manchester City almost certainly need to make additions in the next two transfer windows in order to ease the burden on striker Erling Haaland, who has scored 14 goals in the top flight this term, with the next highest scorer Josko Gvardiol only managing to find the back of the net four times.
Muani is likely to leave PSG in the winter window, and it looks as if he will have no shortage of offers given so many clubs could benefit from strengthening their offensive ranks.
Lewis Nolan
