Manchester United could reportedly switch their attention to Ajax's Mohammed Kudus if they continue to be frustrated in their attempts to sign Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta BC.
Hojlund remains the club's leading centre-forward target this summer, but the Red Devils are not said to be willing to pay more than £60m for the Denmark international.
Atalanta's asking price is believed to be in the region of £86m, so the 20-time English champions could be forced to walk away from the deal unless the Italian outfit drop their valuation.
According to The Mirror, Man United 'will not be held to ransom', and they have already identified an alternative in the shape of Kudus, who is well-known to Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag following their time together at Ajax.
The versatile forward has also been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, with the Dutch giants expected to find it difficult to keep hold of him.
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The 22-year-old starts his professional career with Danish outfit Nordsjaelland before making the move to Ajax during the summer of 2020.
The attacker has now represented his Dutch side on 84 occasions, scoring 23 goals and registering 11 assists in the process.
Kudus was in strong form for Ajax during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 18 goals and registering seven assists in 42 appearances in all competitions.
The forward managed 11 Eredivisie goals last term, while he struck four goals and registered two assists in six appearances in the group stage of the Champions League.
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Kudus also made a strong impression for Ghana at the 2022 World Cup, scoring twice at the competition.
The forward's ability to play in a number of different positions is believed to have made him an even more attractive signing for Man United during the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils have also been linked with Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane this summer, but a deal for either at this stage if seen as incredibly unlikely.
The club have also seemingly been priced out of a move for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani, with the Premier League side facing frustration in their attempts to bring in a new striker.
Kudus has another two years left to run on his contract at Ajax, placing the Dutch side in a strong position to negotiate a relatively high fee for one of their most important players.
Matt Law
