Ralf Rangnick advises Man Utd transfer target against switching clubs | Soccer

The Red Devils are in dire need of more firepower up front and have been forced to start the new Premier League season with Christian Eriksen playing with a false nine due to Anthony Martial’s injury and Cristiano Ronaldo’s lack of sharpness.

United have been linked with a surprise move for Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic, 33, although the move has already collapsed amid backlash from fans.

Another Austrian is also rumored to be on United’s radar. Stuttgart’s Kalajdzic – who has just one year left on his contract – is attracting interest from a host of European clubs including the Red Devils.

United are also considering a move for PSV’s versatile striker Cody Gakpo, with both the Dutch winger and Kalajdzic appearing as secondary targets after missing out on their first choice.

Rangnick, who is now head coach of the Austria national team, doesn’t seem too keen on the prospect of his captain moving to a club where he will only be a back-up option and has suggested Kalajdzic should remain at Stuttgart.

Asked about the speculation about the 25-year-old, Rangnick told Sky Germany: “It is important that Sasa stays injury-free this season and trains and plays at the highest possible level.

“If he stays in Stuttgart this season, it will not harm his development.”

More of an old-fashioned number nine, the towering striker scored six goals and provided two assists in 15 Bundesliga games last season but missed a large part of the season through injury.

He scored 16 goals and set up five more in the 2020/21 season, while also impressing at Euro 2020, notably causing a lot of trouble for eventual champions Italy in the Round of 16.

Kalajdzic is keen to settle his future one way or another and recently told DAZN: “I don’t know myself how my future will develop, but that will become clear in the next few weeks or as soon as possible , but I can’t ‘affect many things either.’

The Austrian was eyed earlier in the window by Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, although both clubs opted to sign other attackers instead.

Kalajdzic is believed to be available for a fee of around £20million with just one year left on his contract.

United will be very active in the coming weeks before the transfer window closes as the club are still looking to sign two new midfielders – with talks in full swing for Adrien Rabiot after an unsuccessful pursuit of Frenkie de Jong – as well as a winger and backup striker.

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