Why Man United should make a move for Fenerbahce’s Vedat Muriqi
According to the Express, Manchester United are one of the Premier League clubs to have watched Fenerbahce striker Vedat Muriqi.
Vedat Muriqi, 25, has impressed since moving to Fenerbahce in July last year. He has 14 goals and five assists in all competitions this term, having only joined from Caykur Rizespor in the summer.
The Kosovo international’s performances have also caught the attention of Leicester City, while the likes of Newcastle United, Tottenham and Burnley have all scouted him in the last few weeks, the report adds.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have picked up form in the last few weeks, winning two of their last three Premier League games. They have closed down the gap with fourth-placed Chelsea to three points now. The 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s drop points but the result means they are now unbeaten in their last four league games.
January signing Bruno Fernandes has played a pivotal role in the Red Devils’ recent good form, with the Portuguese scoring two goals and assisting as many times in four league games. Odion Ighalo, another January recruit, has started well at Old Trafford too and scored his first goal on Thursday against Club Brugge.
Yet, United have scored only 42 goals in 28 games so far this season. Marcus Rashford is the club’s top scorer with 19 goals across all competitions but he is a long-term casualty due to a back injury.
Anthony Martial has looked bright of late, netting three goals in his last four appearances across all competitions. However, the Frenchman is still very inconsistent and cannot be relied upon for a regular supply of goals.
Mason Greenwood has enjoyed his breakthrough campaign at Old Trafford with 11 goals in all competitions so far. However, he is very young and it’s unfair to expect goals regularly from him, especially after Rashford’s injury.
With the Red Devils short of options up front, Solskjaer must prioritise signing a centre-forward in the summer. To put things simply, he should attempt to sign Vedat Muriqi.
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Muriqi enjoyed a fantastic 2018/19 campaign with Caykur Rizespor as he netted 17 goals and provided 8 assists in 34 league games. His goalscoring exploits with Rizespor earned him a move to Fenerbahce, where he has proved himself this term.
The centre-forward has scored 37 Super Lig goals over the past two seasons for Rizespor and Fenerbahce in 70 appearances. Plus, the 25-year-old has been capped 23 times by the Kosovan national time, scoring eight goals.
Verdict
Muriqi has proven himself in Turkey and is at the right age to test himself in the Premier League. He’ll give Solskjaer another striking option alongside Rashford, Martial and Greenwood next season. Going purely by his goalscoring record in the Super Lig, Manchester United must do everything possible to sign the Kosovo international.
