Manchester United are prepared to offer £50m to prise Diogo Jota away from Wolves in the summer transfer window.
Jota, 23, has made 115 appearances for Wolves since initially joining on loan from Atletico Madrid in the 2017/18 campaign.
Having made the move permanent a year later, the forward has since become a key player for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men in the Premier League.
He has also hit the ground running in the Europa League this term, scoring nine goals in 11 games so far – including a hat-trick against Espanyol last Thursday.
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According to the Daily Express, United had spies running the rule over Jota in that clash with Espanyol on Thursday.
And the Portugal international’s devastating display in front of goal has left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and co targeting a summer transfer.
Jota’s hat-trick was his second on the bounce for Wolves in the Europa League, too.
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He also netted three goals in another 4-0 victory over Besiktas in December, meaning he is the first player to achieve the feat in successive Europa League outings since Klass-Jan Huntelaar back in 2012.
United are keen to bolster Solskjaer’s attacking ranks when the summer window opens in order to relieve star striker Marcus Rashford of significant pressure upfront.
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Jota, who has registered 40 goals and 18 assists in 116 matches for Wolves, would provide the Red Devils with a creative spark in the final third.
Reports suggest Tottenham are also interested in the player, who still has three years remaining on his current deal at Molineux.
Solskjaer is clearly in need of attacking reinforcements at Old Trafford, having scored just two goals in their last four Premier League outings.
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The Red Devils’ latest woes in front of goal came away at Club Brugge on Thursday, where they were held to a 1-1 draw in the Europa League last 32.
One man far from impressed with their performance was ex-boss Louis van Gaal, who branded it “worthless”.
Dutch manager Henk Houwaart watched the game with Van Gaal and told Het Laatste Nieuws: “Louis thought it was a lousy contest. (We) both thought it was a worthless match.
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“After no more than three passes, they lost the ball again (and) Louis sighed.
“It was just friendly. Too bad, because Man United were there to be taken, had Club Brugge player with their best team.
“Well, it’s not over yet. We’ll score in England.”
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