Manchester United are set to turn to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting as the striker to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.
That's according to outlandish reports that the 33-year-old – last seen in the Premier League struggling at Stoke City – is being lined up as the post-CR7 successor, after a wild career ride following his exit from English football.
The Cameroonian international left the bet365 Stadium in 2018 and to the bemusement of English football fans, rekindled his partnership with former Mainz boss Thomas Tuchel. From there, Choupo-Moting moved on to Bayern Munich, acting as Robert Lewandowski's deputy and impressing back in the Bundesliga.
French outlet MediaFoot says that United are ready to offer Choupo-Moting a deal, with his current situation at Bavaria set to expire next summer. With a goal every 76 minutes in German football right now, he might not be such a strange target after all.
Bayern are said to want to offer the player another deal but are hoping to tempt Harry Kane to the Allianz Arena next summer, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claiming, "Choupo-Moting’s new contract will be discussed in the next months".
Romano's assertion, too, that the forward is "considered a top professional" may also be a key reason why Erik ten Hag is so keen to secure him.
United have had issues this season with professionalism – especially in the case of Ronaldo publicly leaving Old Trafford before the end of the 2-0 win against Tottenham.
Manchester United are expected to have a big summer ahead of them next year with Ten Hag needing to strengthen his squad even further for his second term in charge.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is valued at under £3 million by Transfermarkt.
More Manchester United stories
Speculation over Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United future has intensified after he refused to come on against Tottenham, with Chelsea among the clubs linked with a January move.
However, Erik ten Hag wants the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to see out his contract at Old Trafford. It has also emerged that Ronaldo didn't receive a single vote for this year's Ballon d'Or, as he finished outside the top three for the first time since 2005.
Meanwhile, United are reportedly prepared to fight it out with Chelsea and PSG to sign Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar – and have been linked with a mega-money move for Atletico Madrid and Portugal forward Joao Felix.
