Krishnan Sreekumar
VfB Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic picks up transfer interest from Manchester United amidst Bayern Munich links
According to Sky Deutschland‘s transfer expert Marc Behrenbeck via SportWitness (h/t Express), Manchester United have enquired about the availability of VfB Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic, who has been targeted by Bayern Munich.
Bayern are set to lose star forward Robert Lewandowski at the end of the season, with the striker confirming that he will not renew his contract with the club. Although he has a contract until 2023, the Poland international could move on in the summer.
The Bavarian side has identified Kalajdzic as an ideal replacement, with the Austria international impressing for Stuttgart this term. Although he missed the first half of the season with a shoulder injury, his return to football has seen him notch up six goals and eight assists.
These are nowhere near the numbers that Lewandowski posted for Bayern, but the Stuttgart man has shown potential and could develop into a fine striker in the near future. The Munich club will be able to provide him with the platform for the same and could benefit from this investment.
“United have enquired about him”
The 24-year-old has a deal with Stuttgart until 2023, and it is said that a transfer fee of around £17m could convince Stuttgart to part with him in the upcoming summer transfer window. With enough Bundesliga experience in his kitty, the Austrian could prove to be a smart buy for Bayern.
However, Behrenbeck has revealed that United have enquired about the player, which could provide Bayern with some competition. The transfer expert also named Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain as other teams keen on signing Kalajdzic.
“He’s on Dortmund’s list. Paris have also expressed an interest, United have enquired about him, but so far there has been no contact from the clubs to VfB.”
The Red Devils are in need of an attacking option at the end of the season, given the state of things at Old Trafford this term. Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of the very few forwards who can hold his head up high about his performances, while the others have proven to be inconsistent.
The Manchester side has been overly reliant on Ronaldo to supply the goals, as Edinson Cavani has barely featured because of injury issues and Marcus Rashford has looked like a shadow of the player he once was after losing his form.
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Furthermore, Cavani is set to depart in the summer once his current contract with United runs out. Ronaldo’s future at the club is still uncertain after the team failed to qualify for the Champions League next term.
The English giants are in need of attacking reinforcements ahead of the new season with the potential departures, with Kalajdzic looking like a smart transfer buy in the upcoming summer transfer window. It remains to be seen if Bayern or the other clubs step up their interest in the striker, and provide United some competition to secure his services.
