Manchester United Eye Alexander Sorloth as New No 9 Option
Manchester United have been offered the chance to bring Alexander Sorloth back to the Premier League, with the Atletico Madrid striker emerging as a late-window option for the club’s search for a new No 9.
United, fresh from splashing £70million on Carlos Baleba from Brighton, are still not done. With the transfer deadline looming on Tuesday, the club are working to add both a centre-forward and a left-back to Michael Carrick’s squad.
Carrick needs cover and competition for Benjamin Sesko up front after Joshua Zirkzee’s situation took a decisive turn. According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Zirkzee has given the green light to a return to Serie A with Fiorentina. The Italian side have already sent United a loan proposal that includes an option to buy next summer.
That potential exit has forced United to widen their search. Freiburg’s Igor Matanovic has been sounded out, while Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta – who is open to leaving Selhurst Park – is also on their list.
Sorloth offered to United
As reported by TEAMtalk, intermediaries have put Alexander Sorloth’s name to United as a solution for their striking gap. The 6ft 5in Norway international brings a serious goalscoring record with him: 175 goals in 475 senior appearances.
Those close to the deal believe Sorloth “fits the profile” United want. He is a traditional No 9, a penalty-box striker who can lead the line, occupy centre-backs and give Sesko genuine competition and cover across a long season.
Crucially, Sorloth is understood to be open to leaving Atletico and would be prepared to return to English football. His previous spell in the Premier League, with Crystal Palace between January 2018 and September 2020, never really caught fire. He played just 20 times for the Eagles as loan moves to Gent and Trabzonspor took up most of that period.
A move to Old Trafford would hand him a far bigger stage – and a second shot at proving he belongs in England’s top flight.
Atletico’s stance and the wider market
Atletico will not stand in Sorloth’s way if the right offer arrives, though they want a replacement lined up before sanctioning any sale. His contract in Madrid runs until June 2028, so the Spanish club are under no pressure to accept a cut-price deal.
They are weighing up potential successors, with Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal and Juventus forward Jonathan David among the players they are considering.
The situation unfolds against a tense backdrop at Atletico. Barcelona and Arsenal continue to track Sorloth’s team-mate Julian Alvarez, but the Rojiblancos insist he is not for sale. Alvarez has publicly expressed his desire to leave, a stance that has infuriated sections of the Atletico support and added another layer of uncertainty to their attacking plans.
United’s late-window equation
For United, the key question is structure: permanent deal or loan? The club’s thinking was outlined on the Talk of the Devils podcast, where Laurie Whitwell said: “Loan is what I have heard in terms of incoming.”
Andy Mitten backed up the sense that movement is likely in the final days of the window.
“Will we see new players come in? I think it’s increasing, I think it’s a possibility. I don’t know if the player would be signed or loaned. If you lose a striker, United look light up top.”
That is the reality facing Carrick and the recruitment team. With Zirkzee edging towards Florence, the margin for error narrows. Sorloth, Mateta, Matanovic – the names are on the table.
Now United must decide whether a towering Norwegian from Atletico is the one to carry their attack into the heart of the season.
