Transfer gossip: Man Utd have 'concrete' interest in one of two Weghorst alternatives

Manchester United scrape the striker's barrel on a short-term contract and face competition from Arsenal for an unwanted Chelsea star…

TAMMY TIMEGood forwards are valuable commodities right now and barrels are scraped for even half-decent ones. Manchester United are perhaps most desperate to land one after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and their apparent interest in Wout Weghorst, with all due respect, suggests they have scoured the market quite carefully. p>

Weghorst is on loan from Burnley at Besiktas, for whom he scored the winner against Kasimpasa on Friday before apparently saying goodbye to the fans. He thinks he left for United, but his manager wasn't so happy. "For Weghorst to say goodbye, he must not only greet the public, but also speak to the club," said Senol Gunes. “Nothing like this happened officially. I've heard about the development, but it's not clear yet."

If Besiktas hang on, United could replace ex-Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.

They face competition from Arsenal according to La Repubblica, for the 25-year-old, whose "future at Roma remains uncertain".

Having scored 27 goals in his first season with Jose Mourinho's side, he's managed just four in 21 appearances this season. Despite this, he is unlikely to be a cheap option given that Chelsea have the option of buying him for £70m at the end of the season.

If Arsenal or United are really interested, chances are they'll have to wait until the summer anyway.

AN ERIC FOR ERIKUnited can't wait, and if they did they would probably go after England's best striker rather than the fourth or fifth choice. Either way, they will need a short-term loan before any possible move for Harry Kane and another Premier League striker killer flop they are interested in is Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has done all a career for himself as a substitute striker since his time at Stoke.

After five goals in 31 games for the Potters, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain and then Bayern Munich, for whom he scored 29 goals in 74 games.

Sky Deutschland reporter Florian Plettenberg took to Twitter to say the Premier League side's interest in the 33-year-old is "concrete".

There has been 'intensive' courting from United but that move is unlikely as although Bayern have been linked with a handful of forwards their priority is to extend Choupo's deal- Moting.

DANSO AND DOUENewcastle are "already working actively" to build a squad ready to compete in the Champions League next season.

Maybe a little jumpy, but Jeunes Footeux (via Sport Witness) claims the Magpies have set their sights on RC Lens star Kevin Danso and the Rennes Desire Doue.

Danso has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in Ligue 1 and is believed to be available for €35-40m at the end of the season.

Doue meanwhile, although he is only 17 years old, has a "maturity and vision of the game well above his age".

Rennes are well aware of the ability and potential of the attacking midfielder and it would take a very large offer to steal him, and Newcastle would likely face stiff competition.