Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'offered chance to sign Raul de Tomas'

By Matt Law, Football EditorPublished: 15 August 2022 11:38 AM

Manchester United are offered the chance to sign Espanyol forward Raul de Tomas before the end of the transfer window, according to a report.

Manchester United have reportedly been offered the opportunity to sign Espanyol forward Raul de Tomas.

The Red Devils are widely expected to sign a new attacker before the end of the transfer window, with Atletico Madrid's Alvaro Morata and Paris Saint-Germain's Mauro Icardi said to be targets for the club.

However, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, De Tomas is also on the club's radar, with the Spain international expected to leave his Catalan club before the end of the transfer window.

"A number of big-name strikers were offered to Manchester United following the collapse of negotiations for [Marko] Arnautovic," Romano wrote in his column for Caught Offside.

"Atletico Madrid still hope to keep Alvaro Morata, while Mauro Icardi is out of the PSG project and has been offered to many clubs, but there are still no negotiations underway. Raul de Tomas is still available on the transfer market and Man United have been advised of the player's availability."

Spain forward Raul de Tomas pictured in November 2021 © Reuters

De Tomas started his professional career at Real Madrid but only made one first-team appearance during his time at Bernabeu, spending time out on loan with Cordoba, Real Valladolid and Rayo Vallecano.

The Spaniard joined Benfica in July 2019 but found it difficult to make his mark with the Portuguese side and returned to Spain in January 2020, penning a long-term deal at Espanyol.

De Tomas has scored 45 goals and registered six assists in 89 appearances for his current side in all competitions, including 17 goals and three assists in 36 matches last term.

The forward was not involved in Espanyol's 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo on the opening weekend of the 2022-23 La Liga campaign, and there have been claims that he could be available for around £25m.

"There are days left in the market. And there are always possibilities. But we have him in our squad," Espanyol's CEO Mao Ye told La Grada last week.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on August 13, 2022 © Reuters

De Tomas, who is thought to have a £60m release clause in his Espanyol contract, has also made four appearances for Spain and is bidding to make the squad for the 2022 World Cup.

Man United have lost their opening two matches of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, which has left them bottom of the table.

The club are believed to be working on a number of new additions, with Juventus' Adrien Rabiot potentially arriving before the end of the week, while Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong remains a target.

There is also ongoing speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's future, but it appears likely that the Portugal international will be staying at Old Trafford beyond the end of the summer transfer window.