Alvaro Morata may finally get his Manchester United move to boost Erik ten Hag's forward options

Manchester United are in desperate need of fresh attacking options – it’s obvious.

Erik ten Hag has been adamant all summer either via transfer reports or interviews that attacking reinforcements are necessary.

With a lack of depth both at striker and on the right after the departures of Edinson Cavani and Juan Mata, the club now has less than three weeks to conclude any deals.

A name which has been linked to Manchester United at various points in the past has been Spanish striker Alvaro Morata.

The first links surfaced during the summer of 2017, with Jose Mourinho in need of a new frontman.

Manchester United eventually opted for signing Romelu Lukaku, with Morata heading to Chelsea instead.

Morata’s name has since cropped up on a number of occasions, and it seems that once again the Spaniard and the club’s name is appearing in joint headlines.

It has been reported by Laurie Whitwell and Philip Buckingham of the Athletic that the striker could actually finally join the Red Devils.

“A genuine possibility” was the phrase used, five years after the first links appeared.

The striker is thought to be available for just under £30 million, and there is a possibility that Atletico Madrid may instead accept a loan for the player.

The one potential stumbling block in the transfer, should United pursue the deal, would be the player’s personal terms.

Alvaro Morata against Manchester United in pre-season. (Alamy)

Alvaro Morata would ask for a fairly large wage package, with the striker rumoured to currently be on wages of at least £125 thousand a week.

Morata’s name has not been the only striker to be linked to the club in recent weeks.

The names of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Icardi have cropped up as potential short-term striker options, although the same report reveals that sources have downplayed any moves for either player.

Another player who was linked to Erik ten Hag’s reds recently was Marko Arnautovic, although the club quickly distanced themselves from a move after major backlash from fans due to the player’s checkered past with racial incidents.

Aubameyang moved from Arsenal to Barcelona in the January transfer window. (Alamy)

Frenkie de Jong is still seen as the No.1 target for the club, despite a deal for French midfielder Adrien Rabiot close to completion.

Manchester United have agreed a fee of around £15 million for the player, with John Murtough flying to Turin on Friday to help sort out personal terms.