Lajue has no money, and Manchester United gives up on Isak, hoping for Hojlund's revival! Watkins' price revealed

Newcastle United striker Isak is at the center of a transfer whirlwind. He missed the team's Asian tour, officially due to injury, but British media reports that the Swedish striker is eager to leave. Liverpool is a likely destination for the last season's Premier League bronze boot winner. Although they have signed Ekiteke, the wealthy reigning champions still have funds and can raise transfer money by selling Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz. Some Manchester United fans fantasize about the team being able to "snatch" him, but unfortunately, that possibility is nearly zero.

Almost all British media have confirmed that Manchester United has no intention of getting involved in Isak's transfer. Sources emphasize that Manchester United is not even planning to explore this possibility, as Newcastle, owned by the Saudi Arabian sovereign fund, has priced Isak at £150 million, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe doesn't even have the funds to raise the bid!

A source told the Manchester Evening News that Manchester United's chances of signing Isak are zero (no chance). The club has already spent £133.5 million to bring in Cunha and Mbeumo, and future transfer funds will need to come from player sales. Rashford's loan to Barcelona came with no rental fee, so Lajue can only raise funds through the sales of Garnacho, Sancho, and Antony, which, even at their highest valuations, won't reach £100 million.

Moreover, although Isak wants to leave Newcastle, he is also unwilling to join Manchester United. Choosing Manchester United would not only mean giving up the chance to participate in the Champions League but also completely missing out on European competitions next season.

Given these reasons, Lajue believes that contacting Isak is a waste of time and that it’s better to give up. Instead, they should look for other more realistic striker options, such as Chelsea's Jackson, Crystal Palace's Mateta, and Aston Villa's Watkins, all of whom are rumored candidates.

It is reported that the strikers currently in contact with Manchester United include Jackson and Watkins. The Red Devils are said not to have directly contacted Villa, who insists that the 29-year-old England forward is not for sale, with his contract running until 2027.

However, the Daily Telegraph states that Manchester United has approached Watkins and has also tested Villa's stance through intermediaries. In the January winter transfer window, Villa rejected Arsenal's £40 million bid, so this striker, who scored 16 Premier League goals last season, is priced at least over £50 million.

But Watkins is unhappy with last season's coach Emery's decision to leave him out in the Champions League knockout stage, allowing Rashford to play as a striker, and he will consider a transfer. In 2020, Villa signed him from Brentford for £33 million, and now they may ask for £60 million to consider a sale.

There are indeed rumors that Manchester United proposed a swap of Garnacho for Watkins, but Villa quickly denied this plan. Villa also recently rejected Manchester United's loan request for goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez; the team missed out on the Champions League due to a 0-2 loss to the Red Devils, so any transfer dealings between the two clubs are bound to be expensive.

The Sun reports that Manchester United will not spend exorbitant amounts to buy a striker. Lajue even hopes that the £72 million man Hojlund can prove himself during the trip to the United States to save on transfer funds. This Danish international has been with the club for two years and has scored only 14 goals in 62 Premier League appearances, making this his last chance. If he cannot demonstrate his ability to contribute, the club will have to sign a new number 9 during the remaining summer window. Amorim hopes that the arrivals of Cunha and Mbeumo will bring new attacking vitality to Manchester United and revive Hojlund in front of goal.