Manchester United is finally starting to shift their focus to signing a striker who can stimulate the chances of success of Ruben Amorim.
Ollie Watkins, Benjamin Sesko, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Nicolas Jackson are all connected to the club in the last 48 hours.
Sources suggest that this flurry of names reflects a growing intention to finally offer Amorim what he really needs.
As we recently reported, Amorim started for the season without the new no. 9 or keeper for which he longed.
Waiting for a keeper will continue, but there is a renewed optimism around rush hour, after United had submitted, which is expected to be their last offer for Brentford's attacker Bryan Mbeumo.
Insiders have shared the latest developments around some of the attackers who are being considered.
Affordable goals?
It is understood that United is currently missing the money to make a signature above £ 40 million. However, every future sale of players would be used to supplement the transfer budget.
Representatives of the Watkins of Aston Villa were informally pronounced by third parties to gauge his openness to a movement. The first feedback is supposed to have been positive, although United is currently unable to pursue a deal.
Sesko is now excluded for the time being. Although the RB Leipzig attacker has been the subject of reconnaissance reports, there are doubts about how well he fits the style of playing Amorim wants to implement.
Mateta is still seen as an affordable and realistic target, with suggestions a deal can be concluded in the region of £ 30-35 million. Crystal Palace, however, works hard to hold it.
Jackson is considered an intriguing option and there is some truth in recent links. At this stage, however, United is not willing to meet the £ 60 million valuation of Chelsea. The variety of challenges that wait ahead in this striker search is clear.
It is interesting that it is worth mentioning that Christopher Nunku also originated this summer as a target, and there are suggestions that new conversations have recently taken place.
What is the situation with attack?
United is actively investigating the opportunity to discharge Rasmus Hojlund – and remain hopeful to secure a new striker before the transfer window closes.
If their search continues in the last phases of the window, this is not seen as a crisis. Amorim could use Joshua Zirkzee or Matheus Cunha in a central role as a solution in the short term.
The club has been determined, they will no longer be held to ransom with transferseals. Jim Ratcliffe made it clear last season that United's financial approach had to change and warned that they were on their way to a disaster without serious reform.
But frustration was set up earlier this week about Brentford's appreciation from Mbeumo, who continued to crawl. United had not looked willing to reach the asking price of £ 70 million, but made an offer of £ 65 million with another £ 5 million in add-ons when the player made his desire to become a member.
United must now show a similar level of determination when pursuing a new goal scorer. The search continues to the correct fit.
Dean Jonesflash score