Man United Rumors: Red Devils Could Take Advantage Of Cristiano Ronaldo-Like Striker's Situation – Report

Manchester United could be taking a step closer to signing one of the best strikers in the world today, a report suggests.

Rumors have linked Eintracht Frankfurt’s Andre Silva to Manchester United in recent months. The Old Trafford outfit is said to be keen on signing the prolific striker but would have to meet the €30 million ($36 million) release fee injected in the player’s contract.

However, a spokesman for Gestifute consultancy, which represents Silva, recently told Goal that the said exit clause in his contract doesn’t exist, nor is there a verbal agreement to let him leave if the said figure is paid by an interested club this summer.

Following the new revelation in Silva’s situation, the soccer news outlet, along with Manchester Evening News, suggested that the Red Devils could now become the frontrunners in signing the Portuguese forward.

However, Manchester United would still have to beat a handful of suitors as La Liga giant Barcelona is also interested in luring Silva.

Recent reports stated that Barca’s new president Joan Laporta is said to be all in to sign Erling Haaland and has already spoken with several people, including the Norwegian’s agent, Mino Raiola.

But Barcelona apparently identified Silva as a fallback for Haaland as the staggering price tag of the Borussia Dortmund star has seen the deal hanging at the moment, reports said.

Aside from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are also expected to make a transfer swoop for the 25-year-old, who has been playing some of the best soccer of his career.

Only in his second season with the Bundesliga side, Silva has already become the club’s top performer, having notched a whopping 24 goals in 28 games across all competitions. In fact, Silva is now two goals ahead of the sought-after striker Haaland in the German top flight.

Silva’s fine form didn’t only see him becoming a target for an array of big-name clubs outside Germany. His incredible nose for goals has been deemed reminiscent of that of his national side co-star and “big idol” Cristiano Ronaldo.

"My big idol? It was Cristiano [Ronaldo] because in my time he was already at [Manchester] United, and he was the star in Portugal,” Silva told Bundesliga’s official website last year.

“If it's possible to achieve the same as him [Ronaldo], I'll sign right now and say I want this,” he added. “I know it'll be difficult to achieve the same as him, it needs a lot of work and discipline, but everyone is different. I don't know what will happen to me. I have dreams, I have my own goals, and I will try my best in my way, and I think that's the most important thing."