Transfer Rumors: Manchester United To Compete With Barcelona To Sign This Striker

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been desperate to add depth to his attacking options and now has eyes on Inter Milan's highly-rated striker, Lautaro Martinez.

After selling Romelu Lukaku and loaning Alexis Sanchez to Inter Milan, before the start of the current season, Man Utd are now short in attack. Among senior forwards, Solskjaer is just left with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial and therefore, has been compelled to use youngster Mason Greenwood in some cup competitions.

Man Utd are set to compete against FC Barcelona to sign the Inter Milan striker, according to a report in Mundo Deportivo. La Liga champions, Barca, are looking to sign a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez.

Although the Uruguayan continues to be a lethal goal-scorer, he clearly is well past his prime. The Spanish giants are looking to release him from the squad next season and Martinez seems like an ideal candidate for them.

Even before Man Utd and Barca consider signing the promising striker, they need to come in terms with the Argentine's price of approximately $123 million. Martinez joined the Serie A side last summer but struggled in his maiden campaign as he scored only nine goals in 35 appearances.

However, the 22-year-old striker has turned lethal under the management of Antonio Conte this season. Martinez already has netted as many as 7 goals in only 13 appearances. In addition, he has struck a special bond with fellow attacker Lukaku and the two have been devastating for the opponents on quite a few occasions.

According to reports, Man Utd are also after RB Salzburg's wonderkid Erling Braut Haaland. In his debut season for the Austrian club, the 19-year-old Norwegian forward already scored 22 goals in 15 matches. Even in this case, Man Utd are expected to have plenty of rivals as there are 20-plus clubs after the teenager.

Man Utd could find an edge in Haaland's transfer keeping in mind their manager, Solskjaer and the youngster have worked together in the past for two seasons in Norway at Molde.