Everton forward Richarlison is on a three-man shortlist of attacking options for Manchester United in January, according to the Evening Standard.
The Red Devils are understood to be interested in adding RB Salzburg’s Erling Braut Haaland to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s strike force in the winter market, but face having to pay €100m (£85.7m) to land the young Norwegian starlet.
Solskjaer has ordered some of United’s scouts to watch the 19-year-old in action ahead of the mid-season window, with club chiefs weighing up the pros and cons as they face the risk of Salzburg’s asking price sky-rocketing in the summer.
Haaland has been in terrific form for the Austrian side since joining them from Molde FK in the summer for around £4.5m, scoring 26 goals in 18 games across all competitions including seven in four Champions League Group Stage ties.
Funds will be made available to Solskjaer in January to sign a top-class striker, and the United boss is meeting with the Red Devils’ recruitment team on a monthly basis discussing options.
Richarlison is believed to be among the candidates high up United’s shopping list at present, should they opt against spending close to £85m on Haaland and chase a discount alternative instead.
Our star Brazilian forward – capable of playing as a designated striker or on either wing – was linked with a mammoth move to Atletico Madrid in the summer, when the La Liga heavyweight began assessing their options as Antoine Griezmann prepared to join FC Barcelona.
It was claimed that Richarlison, also touted as a target for Paris Saint-Germain, would set any hopeful side back £70m, as senior officials at Goodison Park feared we could face a battle to retain his services a year after his £50m arrival.
Manchester United now stepping up with a firm offer for Richarlison could see the 22-year-old become our next Romelu Lukaku, after the Belgian moved to Old Trafford in 2017 for an initial £75m – nearly £50m more than we paid Chelsea in 2014.
This is not the first time that Richarlison has been linked with a move to United, either, and he noted in the summer during an interview with FourFourTwo (via the Metro) that he was flattered by their interest although adding that he was happy on Merseyside.
Could we cope without Richarlison?
Yes
No
Richarlison has started each of our 12 Premier League fixtures thus far this season, scoring three goals and assisting two, and ended last term as our joint-leading ‘scorer with Gylfi Sigurdsson after firing home 13 in 35 games.