If Manchester United's efforts to recruit Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta BC continue to fail, it has been suggested that they may turn their focus to Mohammed Kudus of Ajax.
Hojlund is still the club's top center-forward target this summer, but the Red Devils reportedly won't spend more than £60 million on the international from Denmark.
The 20-time English champions may have to back out of the agreement if Atalanta doesn't lower their asking price, which is thought to be in the neighborhood of £86 million.
The Mirror claims that Man United "will not be held to ransom" and that they have already found a replacement in Kudus, who is well-known to Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag due to their past association at Ajax.
This summer, the versatile forward has also been linked with a transfer to Arsenal, with the Dutch powerhouses likely to struggle to hold on to him.
The Danish team Nordsjaelland is where the 22-year-old begins his professional career before transferring to Ajax in the summer of 2020.
The attacker has already made 84 appearances for his Dutch team, contributing 11 assists along with 23 goals.
Kudus had a productive season for Ajax in 2022–23, making 42 appearances across all competitions while tallying 18 goals and seven assists.
The forward scored 11 goals in the Eredivisie last season, and in six Champions League group stage matches, he scored four goals and recorded two assists.
Additionally, Kudus was a standout performer for Ghana at the 2022 World Cup, scoring twice there.
The forward's versatility on the field is thought to have contributed to Man United's decision to sign him during the summer transfer window.
This summer, the Red Devils have also been connected with Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur and Victor Osimhen of Napoli, but a transfer for either player is now seen to be extremely doubtful.
In addition, the club appears to have been priced out of a transfer for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani, as the Premier League team is struggling to find a new striker.
Ajax has two more years left on Kudus' contract, giving the Dutch team a solid negotiating position to secure a hefty transfer fee for one of their most crucial players.