Man Utd pressing to agree deal for 15-goal star, right profile for Ten Hag - report

Manchester United are prepared to make a fresh offer for Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Red Devils are desperate for attacking reinforcements this summer, and it recently emerged that Arnautovic was a shock target for the club.

United failed with an opening bid of €8-9 million yesterday, and it is now revealed that they are prepared to increase their offer for the 33-year-old.

The hierarchy have singled out Arnautovic as the right profile of player for manager Erik ten Hag, and they are currently ‘pressing’ to finalise his transfer.

United started the summer with Darwin Nunez being one of the main targets. However, they were unable to convince as he made the move to Liverpool.

This turned their attention towards a more versatile forward, and there were suggestions that they could sign Antony from Ten Hag’s former club Ajax.

That move seems unlikely to happen due to the hefty £84 million price tag, but we are genuinely surprised that the fallback option is Arnautovic.

The Austrian has been a decent striker in the Premier League. He netted 11 and 10 league goals respectively during his two seasons at West Ham.

However, the Red Devils’ pursuit of him shows a genuine lack of vision, considering he is already 33, and is no longer in the prime of his playing career.

He may only be considered as a back-up striker off the bench, but United appear prepared to pay over the odds to prise away his services from Bologna.

Arnautovic was impressive for Bologna last term with 15 goals, and 90min recently claimed that they are looking for at least €15m to sanction his sale.

That represents a huge outlay for a player in his mid 30s, who may struggle to make an impact when he returns to playing high intensity football in England.