(Football news) According to reports from SKY Italy, Manchester United have had a €9m (£7.6m) bid for Marko Arnautovic rejected by Bologna. The former West Ham and Stoke City striker has scored 43 goals in the Premier League in the past and the Red Devils are looking to bolster their attack after the departure of Edinson Cavani, Mason Greenwood’s suspension and uncertainty regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at the club.

Manchester United have made three signings so far in Lisandro Martinez, Tyler Malacia and Christian Eriksen but the club are desperately in need of attacking reinforcements, especially considering that Anthony Martial is injured and Ronaldo’s future is in doubt. Rashford, who has previously operated in a striker’s role is more suitable on the left wing while any other option would be from the academy. The Red Devils have also been linked to RB Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko but a potential deal for the 19 year old Slovenian could be difficult.

A bid for Marko Arnautovic signifies a lack of coherent transfer strategy for Manchester United, who are yet again looking for a short term solution to a long term problem. Arnautovic is by no means an elite striker or a permanent solution to the existing problems. The club has previously signed Radamel Falcao, Odion Ighalo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo out of which it can be said that only two have made a significant impact. Cavani may have had an impressive first season but constant injuries has meant that he hasn’t been a reliable option for the team.

At a time when Manchester City have signed Erling Haaland and Liverpool have bought Darwin Nunez, Manchester United need to explore a long term option and invest in a young striker with potential to become one of the best in the world. For that, significant investment would be needed, which means the Glazers would have to part with the club’s money and Champions League football would be a necessity. Every young player who has the potential to develop into the best in the world wants to compete at the highest level, something that Manchester United cannot offer at the moment. Moreover, Ten Hag will need to implement a style of play which would develop the player as it would be the only way to convince a talent to join in the first place. 

Speaking about the Arnautovic bid, former Manchester United player Gary Neville said “The first thing you do when the phone rings from Manchester United is reject the bid, because the reality of it is after losing that game against Brighton on Sunday, they're actually negotiating from an even worse position than they were on Saturday, and that's an even bigger problem for them. I've got a comment on everything in the world, apart from Manchester United signing Marko Arnautovic. I've got nothing to say. We've seen Radamel Falcao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, Odion Ighalo – desperate, it's a pattern. It's happening time and time again. I don't even get angry or animated about it anymore. I'm not going to comment about it." 

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